Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection April 28, 2025

28th April 2025 (Monday)

Psalter: Week 2

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Acts 4:23-31

In those days: When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Psalm 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9

R/. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord. Or: Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

R/. Alleluia

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Daily Gospel Reflection

Monday – 2nd Week of Easter

Main Point: One can resist the human powers but no one can resist and destroy the power of God

1. There is a total difference and change in the life of the apostles before and after the resurrection. After the resurrection, they were totally transformed, contrasting in reference to their life before.

2. There is an incredible boldness, incomparable wisdom and awe-evoking signs of miracles. They become passionate heralds and indefectible witnesses to the risen Lord. They become fearless and unstoppable.

3. This is all due to the power of the risen Lord, the anointing by the Holy Spirit. It is this risen experience that transforms them into witnesses both in word and in deed. In the words of Jesus in the gospel, the apostles are truly those “reborn” of ‘water and spirit’.

4. They are regenerated from above. In them, “the wind blows where it wills” in irresistible freedom, spontaneity, and effect. This wind is the Spirit. If one surrenders oneself to the action of the Spirit, then he will take care. He will direct life.

5. If we too are to be his witnesses, we too need to be reborn and born from above. We too are to be totally receptive and cooperative to the action of the Spirit. We too need to make a constant transition like Nicodemus.

6. That is, from the “night” of imperfect faith to the light of perfect faith. We must be renewed from our old nature. We must constantly rise above what is merely earthly and worldly. We must allow the Spirit to blow and act freely in our lives.

My Practice: It is fear that inhibits and hinders us from being deeply loyal and committed to the Lord. It needs conviction and courage to stand for him and accomplish his mission