‘We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.’
In those days: When the rulers and elders and scribes saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognised that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, ‘What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.’ So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.’ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 118(117):1, 14-15b. 16-18. 19-21. ℟21a
I will thank you, Lord, for you have answered me.
or: Alleluia.
Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures for ever.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he was my saviour.
There are shouts of joy and salvation
in the tents of the upright.
I will thank you, Lord, for you have answered me.
or: Alleluia.
‘The Lord’s right hand is exalted.
The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds.’
I shall not die, I shall live
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
The Lord has punished me severely,
but did not hand me over to death.
I will thank you, Lord, for you have answered me.
or: Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of righteousness:
I will enter and thank the Lord.
This is the Lord’s own gate,
where the upright enter.
I will thank you, for you have answered,
and you are my saviour.
I will thank you, Lord, for you have answered me.
or: Alleluia.
Sequence
Victimae Paschali Laudes
Christians, to the Paschal Victim
offer sacrifice and praise.
The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb;
and Christ, the undefiled,
hath sinners to his Father reconciled.
Death with life contended:
combat strangely ended!
Life’s own Champion, slain,
yet lives to reign.
Tell us, Mary:
say what thou didst see
upon the way.
The tomb the Living did enclose;
I saw Christ’s glory as he rose!
The angels there attesting;
shroud with grave-clothes resting.
Christ, my hope, has risen:
he goes before you into Galilee.
That Christ is truly risen
from the dead we know.
Victorious king, thy mercy show!
Gospel Acclamation
Psalm 118(117):24
Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice in it and be glad.
Alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 16:9-15
‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel.’
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Afterwards he appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’
Universalis podcast: The week ahead – from 27 April to 3 May
The glorious events of Easter week this year. Changing attitudes to the Papacy over the last 50 years. Our part in the election of the next Pope. A warning against politics, and three prayer intentions. (16 minutes) Episode notes.
The readings on this page are from the English Standard Version, which is used at Mass in Great Britain. The Jerusalem Bible (which is used at Mass in much of the English-speaking world) will appear instead if you set this page to use a calendar from outside Great Britain. The New American Bible readings, which are used at Mass in the United States, are available in the Universalis apps, programs and downloads.