3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER (18 APRIL 2021)
FIRST READING (The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead.)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (3:13-15,17-19)
Peter said to the people: “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence when he had decided to release him. You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses. Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did; but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer. Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.” —The Word of the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (4:2, 4, 7-8, 9)
R. Lord, let your face shine on us. (Ps 4:7a)
Or Alleluia.
When I call, answer me, O my just God, you who relieve me when I am in distress; have pity on me, and hear my prayer! (R)
Know that the Lord does wonders for his faithful one; the Lord will hear me when I call upon him. (R)
O Lord, let the light of your countenance shine upon us! You put gladness into my heart. (R)
As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep, for you alone, O Lord, bring security to my dwelling. (R)
SECOND READING (Jesus Christ is expiation not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.)
A reading from the first Letter of Saint John (2:1-5a)
My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments. Those who say, “I know him,” but do not keep his commandments are liars, and the truth is not in them. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. —The Word of the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Cf. Lk 24:32)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts
burn while you speak to us. (R)
GOSPEL (Thus it was written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (24:35-48)
The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread.
While they were still speaking about this, Jesus stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.
He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” —The Gospel of the Lord.
R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayers
Celebrant: As we hear his word in the scriptures, our hearts burn within us, with a longing for God’s presence. With this Easter hope, let us present our needs in prayer.
READER: That those who teach in the Church will remain faithful to the Gospel of repentance and forgiveness, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.
READER: That leaders of the Church, government, and industry will work together to provide food, employment, and justice for all, especially in these difficult times, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.
READER: That those who are dying may know the peace of the risen Christ, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.
READER: That we may come to a deeper understanding of why Christ had to suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.
READER: That Christ, “our advocate with the Father,” will bring the dead to eternal glory, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.
CELEBRANT: Almighty God and Father, we ask you to grant these prayers, through your risen Son, the glorious prince of life, living and reigning for ever and ever, (all) AMEN.
