Thursday in the 2nd Week of Easter
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 5:27-33
When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, “We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had Him killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20 (R. 7a)
R.The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in Him. R.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress He rescues them. R.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit He saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him. R.
Gospel – Jn 3:31-36
The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony. Whoever does accept His testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration His gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to Him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.
Featured Saints
St. Agnes of Montepulciano, virgin (†1317). At only nine years of age, she took the veil of the consecrated virgins. She founded a Dominican Monastery in Montepulciano, Italy. Her life was replete with marvelous episodes, miracles, and mystical graces. She died at age 48.
St. Anicetus, Pope (†circa 166). He received St. Polycarp of Smyrna as a guest to discuss the date of Easter with him.
St. Marcellinus of Embrun, bishop (†c. 374). A native of North Africa, he evangelized the region of the Maritime Alps and was ordained bishop by St. Eusebius of Vercelli.
St. Anastasius of Antioch, bishop and martyr (†609). Patriarch of Antioch (presentday Turkey), cruelly killed by hired assassins in the time of Byzantine Emperor Phocas.
Blessed Dominic Vernagalli, priest (†1218). Priest of the Camaldulense Order. Founded an orphanage, in Pisa, Italy, for abandoned children.
Blessed Simon Rinalducci, priest (†1322). Religious from the Order of Augustinian Hermits; carried out a fruitful apostolate in Bologna among young students.
Blesseds Richard Sergeant and William Thomson, priests and martyrs (†1584). Ordained priests in France, they returned to England to carry out their ministry. For this reason, they were hanged at the gallows at Tyburn.
Blessed Maurice Mackenraghty, priest and martyr (†1585). Irish priest who was beheaded after two years of imprisonment, for maintaining his fidelity to the Pope and refusing to recognize the spiritual authority of Queen Elizabeth I.
Blessed Anastasius Pankiewicz, priest and martyr (†1942). Franciscan Polish priest, killed while being taken from Dachau to Hartheim, Austria. He gave witness to his faith until death.
Blessed Claire Bosatta, virgin (†1887). With the help of St. Louis Guanella, she founded the Little House of Divine Providence. She died in Pianello, Italy.
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