Friday in the Octave of Easter
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 4:1-12
After the crippled man had been cured, while Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them, disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They laid hands on Peter and John and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word came to believe and the number of men grew to about five thousand. On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly class. They brought them into their presence and questioned them, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them, “Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in His name this man stands before you healed. He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a (R. 22)
R.The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
for 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 which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it. R.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and He has given us light. R.
Gospel – Jn 21:1-14
Jesus revealed Himself again to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed Himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of His disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to Him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered Him, “No.” So He said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to His disciples after being raised from the dead.
Featured Saints
St. Magdalene of Canossa, virgin (†1855). Daughter of the Marquis of Canossa, she abandoned the world for the love of Christ. Founded the Institute of the Sons and Daughters of Charity in Verona, Italy, to foster the Christian formation of youth.
St. Michael de Sanctis, priest (†1625). Spanish religious from the Trinitarian Order. He died at age 33 in Valladolid, after giving himself to works of charity and the preaching of the word of God.
St. Palladius, bishop (†658). Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Germain he was elected Bishop of Auxerre, France. He participated in various Councils and strove to restore ecclesiastical discipline.
St. Fulbert, bishop (+1029). As prelate of the diocese of Chartres, he promoted devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Queen of Mercy.
St. Bede the Younger, monk (†circa 883). After serving Emperor Charlemagne for 45 years, he lived out his days in a monastery in Venice, Italy.
Sts. Terence and companions, martyrs (†c. 250). During the persecution of Emperor Decius, they suffered cruelly and were beheaded for the practice of the Christian Faith.
Blessed Anthony Neyrot, priest and martyr (†1460). Dominican priest captured by pirates and taken to Tunis (Africa), where he renounced the Faith. Repentant, he took back his habit, publicly proclaimed his Faith and was stoned to death.
Blessed Mark Fantucci of Bologna, priest (†1479). He embraced evangelical poverty as a Franciscan, preached the Word of God in various regions of Italy and was thrice elected Vicar-General of the Cismontane Observance
Blessed Boniface Zlukowski, priest and martyr (†1942). Franciscan Lithuanian-born religious; died of pneumonia in Auschwitz concentration camp.
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