Tuesday in the 2nd Week of Easter
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 4:32-37
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement””), a Levite, a Cypriot by birth, sold a piece of property that he owned, then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5 (R. 1a)
R.The Lord is king; He is robed in majesty.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength. R.
And He has made the world firm,
not to be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old;
from everlasting you are, O LORD. R.
Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed:
holiness befits Your house,
O LORD, for length of days. R.
Gospel – Jn 3:7b-15
Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to Him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
Featured Saints
St. Hugh of Rouen, bishop (†730). As Bishop of Rouen, France, he simultaneously governed the Monastery of Fontenelle and the Churches of Paris and Bayeux. Renouncing these offices, he died in the Monastery of Jumièges.
St. Waltrude (†688). Sister of St. Aldegundis, the wife of St. Vincent Madelgaire, count of Hainault, and mother of four saints. Later, in agreement with her husband, she embraced religious life, entering the monastery she herself had founded as a simple member of the community.
St. Casilda, virgin (†1075). Young daughter of a Muslim king, she showed kindness to Christian prisoners. After converting to Christianity, she lived for many years in hermetic solitude in Burgos, Spain.
Blessed Thomas of Tolentino, priest and martyr (†1321). Franciscan missionary martyred in Thane, India, when he was setting out to preach the Gospel in China.
St. Maximus of Alexandria, bishop (†282). He was exiled, as a priest, together with Bishop St. Dionysius, whom he succeeded in the See of Alexandria, Egypt.
St. Acacius, Bishop (†fifth century). He endeavoured to ransom captive Persians who were subjected to harsh tortures. After the rescue, he converted them to the true Faith.
Blessed Ubaldo Adimari, priest (†1315). After living a dissolute youth in Florence, he converted upon hearing a sermon by St. Philip Benicio and became a Servite priest.
Blessed Anthony Pavoni, priest and martyr (†1374). Dominican religious of Savigliano, Italy; killed by Waldensians as he left a church in which he had preached against their heresy.
Blessed Marguerite Rutan, virgin and martyr (†1794). A Daughter of Charity, guillotined during the French Revolution.
Blessed Celestina Faron, virgin and martyr (+1944). A Polish religious from the Congregation of the Litter Servants of the Immaculate Conception. During the anti-religious persecutions perpetrated during the Nazi occupation, she was arrested while carrying out works of charity, and sent to the extermination camp of Auschwitz.
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