DAILY READINGS & REFLECTION

APRIL 13, 2024

SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER

(OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARTIN I, POPE AND MARTYR)

FIRST READING

ACTS 6:1-7 OR (2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13; 3:10-12)

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Proch'orus, and Nica'nor, and Ti'mon, and Par'menas, and Nicola'us, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The Word of the Lord
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALMS 32(33):1-2, 4-5, 18-19 OR (PSALMS 126:1-6)

Response: Lord, let thy mercy be on us, as we place our trust in thee.
Or
R. Alleluia.

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
Praise the LORD with the lyre,
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!

R. Lord, let thy mercy be on us, as we place our trust in thee.
Or
R. Alleluia.

For the word of the LORD is upright;
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

R. Lord, let thy mercy be on us, as we place our trust in thee.
Or
R. Alleluia.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death,
and keep them alive in famine.

R. Lord, let thy mercy be on us, as we place our trust in thee.
Or
R. Alleluia.
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GOSPEL

Jesus Said: "It Is I - Do Not Be Afraid"

JOHN 6:16-21 OR (JOHN 15:18-21)

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea rose because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat. They were frightened, 20 but he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

The Gospel of the Lord
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REFLECTION

DAILY QUOTE FROM THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS

Christ our physician, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"God sent the human race a physician, a savior, One Who healed without charging a fee. Christ also came to reward those who would be healed by Him. Christ heals the sick, and He makes a gift to those whom He heals. And the gift that He makes is Himself!" 

(excerpt from Sermon 102,2)
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Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.