Today, April 11
Feast of the Day
No feast of the day
Saint of the Day
Stanislaus was born in Szczepanòw, Poland, about 1030. He was educated in Poland and Paris and in 1072 became Bishop of Cracow. He was well-known for his care of the poor. He differed with the king, Boleslav, who killed Stanislaus during the celebration of Mass. The king later fled to relatives in Hungary, where he spent his life as a penitent in a Benedictine abbey. Stanislaus was canonized in 1253 and is one of the patrons of Poland.©2011 Living with Christ, Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/. Reprinted with permission.
Readings of the Day
Acts of the Apostles 4,13-21.
Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply. So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and conferred with one another, saying, "What are we to do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it. But so that it may not be spread any further among the people, let us give them a stern warning never again to speak to anyone in this name." So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, "Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard." After threatening them further, they released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people who were all praising God for what had happened.
Psalms 118(117),1.14-15.16ab-18.19-21.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just: "The right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD has struck with power." I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. Though the LORD has indeed chastised me, yet he has not delivered me to death. Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the just shall enter it. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 16,9-15.
When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. (But) later, as the eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."
Daily Reflection
The arrogance of Death is reprimanded, (...) Adam is now freed, for all beings a Spirit of life is inaugurated thanks to the resurrection of Christ and with endless light, while joy was wished to the Perfume Bearers, as well as to all the faithful who with love chant: “Above all praise, God of our fathers and our God, blessed are you." The tombs opened, O Savior, at your awakening and the souls of the righteous celebrated with joy, O Christ, your resurrection: for it is you, Master, who died in your human essence, by your divine nature, O Almighty, have destroyed Hades and freed mortals. We proclaim your two natures, O Christ, since you are God and man, and with piety we sing to you: “Above all praise, God of our fathers and our God, blessed are you. " “Holy Mountain”, it is truly thus, O Virgin, that we all recognize you, since from you was detached without the hand of man the Stone, the Christ who by coming in the flesh immediately filled the whole world with the knowledge of God: it is he whom we adore by proclaiming: “Above all praise, God of our fathers and our God, blessed are you." Bless the Creator God the Father, celebrate the Word that has come down to you to change fire into dew, and exalt above all him who grants life to all, the most Holy Spirit, for all ages.