Saturday in the Octave of Easter (April 2, 2016)

Reading 1 and//usccb.org/bible/acts/4:13 ACTS 4:13-21 Observing the boldness of Peter and Johnand 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 signwas 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 warningnever again to speak to anyone in this name.”So they called them backand 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 Godfor 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 Godfor what had happened. Responsorial Psalm and//usccb.org/bible/psalms/118:1 PS 118:1 AND 14-15AB, 16-18, 19-21 R. (21a)I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me. orand R.Alleluia. 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 victoryin the tents of the just. R.I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me. orand R.Alleluia. The right hand of the LORD is exaltedthe 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. R.I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me. orand R.Alleluia. Open to me the gates of justiceI will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.This is the gate of the LORDthe just shall enter it.I will give thanks to you, for you have answered meand have been my savior. R.I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me. orand R.Alleluia. Alleluia and//usccb.org/bible/psalms/118:24 PS 118:24 R.Alleluia, alleluia.This is the day the LORD has madelet us be glad and rejoice in it.R.Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel and//usccb.org/bible/mark/16:9 MK 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 aliveand had been seen by her, they did not believe.After this he appeared in another formto two of them walking along on their way to the country.They returned and told the othersbut they did not believe them either.But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to themand rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heartbecause they had not believed thosewho saw him after he had been raised.He said to them, Go into the whole worldand proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”