Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 27 April 2028

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,

28 Saying: Commanding we commanded you, that you should not teach in this name; and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and you have a mind to bring the blood of this man upon us.

29 But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God, rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom you put to death, hanging him upon a tree.

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.

32 And we are witnesses of these things and the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to all that obey him.

33 When they had heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they thought to put them to death.

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or

R. Alleluia.

2 I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be always in my mouth.

9 O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in him.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or

R. Alleluia.

17 But the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil things: to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

18 The just cried, and the Lord heard them: and delivered them out of all their troubles.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or

R. Alleluia.

19 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of spirit.

20 Many are the afflictions of the just; but out of them all will the Lord deliver them.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

29 You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

31 He that cometh from above, is above all. He that is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaketh. He that cometh from heaven, is above all.

32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth: and no man receiveth his testimony.

33 He that hath received his testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true.

34 For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God doth not give the Spirit by measure.

35 The Father loveth the Son: and he hath given all things into his hand.

36 He that believeth in the Son, hath life everlasting; but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The apostles stand before the council with a truth that cannot be negotiated: “We ought to obey God, rather than men.” Their courage does not come from themselves alone. They bear witness to Jesus, whom God raised and exalted as Prince and Saviour, and they speak by the power of the Holy Spirit. The One who comes from heaven speaks the very words of God, and whoever receives his testimony acknowledges that God is true.

Faith, then, is more than accepting an idea. It is entrusting ourselves to Christ and allowing his word to direct our lives, even when obedience is costly. The psalm gives this faith a humble shape: the contrite and poor cry out, and the Lord draws near. Jesus offers repentance, forgiveness, and everlasting life; the Spirit gives strength to remain faithful while we wait in hope. We may not see as Thomas saw, yet we can place our seal on God’s truth by listening to Christ, turning from sin, and living openly according to his word.

Lord Jesus, you come from the Father and speak words of truth and life. Give me a humble and contrite heart that listens to you before every other voice. When obedience becomes difficult, strengthen me with your Holy Spirit, as you strengthened the apostles. Help me trust your promise even when I cannot see, and make my life a faithful witness to your resurrection. Lead me continually into repentance and forgiveness, and draw near when I am poor in spirit or troubled. May my words and choices show that God is true and that life is found in you. Amen.