*Good Night Message for Easter Tuesday, 22nd April, 2025:* _What we look for in our Sorrow as pilgrims of hope_ *AN EASTER HALLELUJAH BY CASSANDRA AND CALLAHAN* is our background song.
*APRIL 23RD 2025.*
*WEDNESDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER YEAR C.*
*FIRST READING*
“I give you what I have, in the name of Jesus, rise and walk.”
*A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (ACTS 3: 1 - 10)*
In those days: Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognised him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
*The Word of the Lord.*
*RESPONSORIAL PSALM*
Taken from Psalm 105: 1 - 2, 3 - 4, 6 - 7, 8 - 9 (R.) 3b
And the response is;
*R/. Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.*
Or:
*Alleluia.*
Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim his name.
Make known his deeds among the peoples.
O sing to him, sing his praise;
tell all his wonderful works! *R/.*
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.
Turn to the Lord and his strength;
constantly seek his face. *R/.*
O children of Abraham, his servant,
O descendants of the Jacob he chose,
he, the Lord, is our God;
his judgements are in all the earth. *R/.*
He remembers his covenant forever:
the promise he ordained for a thousand generations,
the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac *R/.*
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*
Psalm 118: 24
*Alleluia.*
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
*Alleluia.*
*GOSPEL*
They recognised him in the breaking of the bread.
*A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (LUKE 24: 13 - 35)*
That very day, [the first day of the week,] two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going.
*WEDNESDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER YEAR C.*
*FIRST READING*
“I give you what I have, in the name of Jesus, rise and walk.”
*A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (ACTS 3: 1 - 10)*
In those days: Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognised him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
*The Word of the Lord.*
*RESPONSORIAL PSALM*
Taken from Psalm 105: 1 - 2, 3 - 4, 6 - 7, 8 - 9 (R.) 3b
And the response is;
*R/. Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.*
Or:
*Alleluia.*
Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim his name.
Make known his deeds among the peoples.
O sing to him, sing his praise;
tell all his wonderful works! *R/.*
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.
Turn to the Lord and his strength;
constantly seek his face. *R/.*
O children of Abraham, his servant,
O descendants of the Jacob he chose,
he, the Lord, is our God;
his judgements are in all the earth. *R/.*
He remembers his covenant forever:
the promise he ordained for a thousand generations,
the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac *R/.*
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*
Psalm 118: 24
*Alleluia.*
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
*Alleluia.*
*GOSPEL*
They recognised him in the breaking of the bread.
*A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (LUKE 24: 13 - 35)*
That very day, [the first day of the week,] two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going.
He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the Eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
*The Gospel of the Lord.*
*The Gospel of the Lord.*
*Daily Bread Devotion for Wednesday 23rd April 2025: EASTER WEDNESDAY* with REV. FR. GEORGE BYANGUBU - PORT PORTAL, UGANDA.
*Good Night Message for Easter Wednesday, 23rd April, 2025:* _Meeting Jesus on the road of discouragement as pilgrims of hope_ *AN EASTER HALLELUJAH BY CASSANDRA AND CALLAHAN* is our background song.
*APRIL 24TH 2025.*
*THURSDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER YEAR C.*
*FIRST READING*
“You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. ”
*A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (ACTS 3: 11 - 26)*
In those days: While the lame man who had been cured clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s, astounded. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people, “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet from your brethren as he raised me up. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came afterwards, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
*The Word of the Lord.*
*RESPONSORIAL PSALM*
Taken from Psalm 8: 2ab and 5, 6 - 7a, 7b - 9 (R.) 2ab
And the response is;
*R/. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name through all the earth!*
Or:
*Alleluia.*
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic
is your name through all the earth!
What is man that you should keep him in mind,
the son of man that you care for him? *R/.*
Yet you have made him little lower than the angels;
with glory and honour you crowned him,
gave him power over the works of your hands. *R/.*
You put all things under his feet,
all of them, sheep and oxen,
yes, even the cattle of the fields,
birds of the air, and fish of the sea
that make their way through the waters. *R/.*
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*
Psalm 118: 24
*Alleluia.*
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
*Alleluia.*
*GOSPEL*
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. ”
*A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (LUKE 24: 35 - 48)*
At that time: The two disciples told what had happened on the road to Emmaus and how Jesus was known to them in the breaking of the bread. As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
*THURSDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER YEAR C.*
*FIRST READING*
“You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. ”
*A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (ACTS 3: 11 - 26)*
In those days: While the lame man who had been cured clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s, astounded. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people, “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet from your brethren as he raised me up. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came afterwards, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
*The Word of the Lord.*
*RESPONSORIAL PSALM*
Taken from Psalm 8: 2ab and 5, 6 - 7a, 7b - 9 (R.) 2ab
And the response is;
*R/. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name through all the earth!*
Or:
*Alleluia.*
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic
is your name through all the earth!
What is man that you should keep him in mind,
the son of man that you care for him? *R/.*
Yet you have made him little lower than the angels;
with glory and honour you crowned him,
gave him power over the works of your hands. *R/.*
You put all things under his feet,
all of them, sheep and oxen,
yes, even the cattle of the fields,
birds of the air, and fish of the sea
that make their way through the waters. *R/.*
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*
Psalm 118: 24
*Alleluia.*
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
*Alleluia.*
*GOSPEL*
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. ”
*A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (LUKE 24: 35 - 48)*
At that time: The two disciples told what had happened on the road to Emmaus and how Jesus was known to them in the breaking of the bread. As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
Then he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
*The Gospel of the Lord.*
*The Gospel of the Lord.*
*Daily Bread Devotion for Thurssday 24th April 2025: EASTER THURSDAY* with REV. FR. EUSTACE SIAME - ROME, ITALY.
*Good Night Message for Easter Thursday, 24th April, 2025:* _Encountering Jesus as we share about Him as pilgrims of hope_ *AN EASTER HALLELUJAH BY CASSANDRA AND CALLAHAN* is our background song.
*APRIL 25TH 2025.*
*FRIDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER YEAR C.*
*FIRST READING*
“There is no other name by which we must be saved.”
*A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (ACTS 4: 1 - 12)*
In those days: As Peter and John were speaking to the people, [after the lame man was healed,] the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand. On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
*The Word of the Lord.*
*RESPONSORIAL PSALM*
Taken from Psalm 118: 1 - 2 and 4, 22 - 24, 25 - 27ab (R.) 22
*R/. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.*
Or:
*Alleluia*
Give praise to the LORD, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His mercy endures forever.” *R/.*
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done,
a marvel in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice in it and be glad. *R/.*
O Lord, grant salvation;
O Lord, grant success.
Blest is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord;
the Lord is God, and has given us light. *R/.*
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*
Psalm 118: 24
*Alleluia.*
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
*Alleluia.*
*GOSPEL*
“Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. ”
*A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (JOHN 21: 1 - 14)*
At that time: Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
*FRIDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER YEAR C.*
*FIRST READING*
“There is no other name by which we must be saved.”
*A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (ACTS 4: 1 - 12)*
In those days: As Peter and John were speaking to the people, [after the lame man was healed,] the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand. On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
*The Word of the Lord.*
*RESPONSORIAL PSALM*
Taken from Psalm 118: 1 - 2 and 4, 22 - 24, 25 - 27ab (R.) 22
*R/. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.*
Or:
*Alleluia*
Give praise to the LORD, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His mercy endures forever.” *R/.*
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done,
a marvel in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice in it and be glad. *R/.*
O Lord, grant salvation;
O Lord, grant success.
Blest is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord;
the Lord is God, and has given us light. *R/.*
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*
Psalm 118: 24
*Alleluia.*
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
*Alleluia.*
*GOSPEL*
“Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. ”
*A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (JOHN 21: 1 - 14)*
At that time: Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
*The Gospel of the Lord.*
*The Gospel of the Lord.*
*Daily Bread Devotion for Friday 25th April 2025: EASTER THURSDAY* with REV. FR. JOHN MUSONDA SDB - LILONGWE, MALAWI .