A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
(Chapter 4:8-12)
Peter and the apostles are being criticized by the Scribes and Pharisees for healing a disabled man. Peter tells them that the man was healed in the name of Jesus Christ, the very person they condemned to death. This was not the kind of thing that the leaders wanted to hear. They thought they were done with Jesus forever when he was crucified, and now his followers are healing in his name. They thought they must put a stop to this, but they never could, no matter how hard they tried—and they certainly tried.
Jesus was a healer and our Church, founded in his name, should always be about healing, reconciling, forgiving, not condemning and excluding. Pope Francis is working through his words and his deeds to heal so much of what is missing from our Church and to allow the power of the Spirit to heal and unify.
Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 118)
“The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. “
Throughout the history of Israel, the people have rejected the God who revealed himself through Moses, yet he has remained the cornerstone of faith as Jesus is for us Christians.