Daily Mass Readings – Wednesday, 21 April 2027

24 But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled their ministry, taking with them John, who was surnamed Mark.

13:1 Now there were in the church which was at Antioch, prophets and doctors, among whom was Barnabas, and Simon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manahen, who was the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 And as they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Ghost said to them: Separate me Saul and Barnabas, for the work whereunto I have taken them.

3 Then they, fasting and praying, and imposing their hands upon them, sent them away.

4 So they being sent by the Holy Ghost, went to Seleucia: and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

5 And when they were come to Salamina, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews.

R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!

or

R. Alleluia.

2 May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us.

3 That we may know thy way upon earth: thy salvation in all nations.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

or

R. Alleluia.

5 Let the nations be glad and rejoice: for thou judgest the people with justice, and directest the nations upon earth.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

or

R. Alleluia.

6 Let the people, O God, confess to thee: let all the people give praise to thee:

8 May God bless us: and all the ends of the earth fear him.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

12 I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

44 But Jesus cried, and said: He that believeth in me, doth not believe in me, but in him that sent me.

45 And he that seeth me, seeth him that sent me.

46 I am come a light into the world; that whosoever believeth in me, may not remain in darkness.

47 And if any man hear my words, and keep them not, I do not judge him: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48 He that despiseth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father who sent me, he gave me commandment what I should say, and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting. The things therefore that I speak, even as the Father said unto me, so do I speak.

Jesus speaks of himself as the light who comes from the Father. His words are not self-appointed opinions; they carry the Father’s command, and that command is life everlasting. Christ comes into the world to save, drawing people out of darkness rather than condemning them. Yet his word also reveals the truth by which every life will be measured. To hear him, then, is to receive a light that must shape the way we live.

The Church at Antioch shows what this response looks like. While the believers were ministering to the Lord, fasting, and praying, the Holy Spirit set Barnabas and Saul apart and sent them to proclaim God’s word. Their mission was rooted in worship and obedience, and it opened the way for the nations to know God’s salvation. The prayer of the psalm becomes a missionary hope: every people may rejoice and praise the Lord. We serve that purpose whenever we let Christ’s word guide our choices, and whenever our faithful witness helps another person see the light of life.

Father of light, you sent your Son into the world to save us and to lead us into life. Let his word enter the places in us that remain confused, fearful, or resistant. Give us the humility to listen, the courage to obey, and the patience to let his truth shape our daily choices. Holy Spirit, guide your Church as you guided Barnabas and Saul; make our prayer and service fruitful for the spread of the Gospel. May our lives help others recognize your mercy, until all nations rejoice and praise your name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.