12 April 2009
First reading Acts 10:34,37-43
Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: ‘The truth I have now come to realise’ he said ‘is that God does not have favourites, You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses – we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead – and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.’
Psalm or canticle: Psalm 117:1-2,16-17,22-23
Second reading Colossians 3:1-4
Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed – and he is your life – you too will be revealed in all your glory with him.
Gospel John 20:1-9
It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Reflection
by Elizabeth R. Eguia
Today we celebrate Easter Sunday, the time when we remember the ultimate victory of Christ over sin by his resurrection from the dead. We witnessed His passion and death during the last few days of Holy Week. Today, commemorating His triumph, for me is the highlight of our 40 day journey called Lent.
What is the message of Easter to each one of us? Is it a party celebration where you go to the beach and have fun with family and friends? Is it going to church and attend the Easter Vigil Mass? At first I was having a hard time getting the right answer to this question because I realized I have been celebrating it without deeply understanding the true essence and meaning of it. I realized now that the greatest gift and challenge was given to us by God this Easter. Together with Jesus, we resurrected from our sins. We realized our faults. We turned back to Him and this was made possible during the Lenten Season. Yes my dear friends, the Lenten Season helped us to reflect on our lives, how are we living it, how are we using the freedom of free will that God has given us, how are we sustaining it so that each move we do is always according to His will.
This is His message today: Live life doing His will daily. Christ’s resurrection does not end on Easter Sunday but it is a beginning of a renewed life. That does not mean our lives will be smooth sailing all the time. There will still be trials along the way. But the thing is, our faith is much stronger and firmer. We know that we can claim victory over all the trials that will come to our lives. He is with us and together we can overcome everything!
Dear Lord we praise and glorify and thank You. Your resurrection reminds us of the gift you have given us- the gift of a renewed life. Grant us the grace to live life doing Your will in everything we do. Grant us the courage to live up by our faith and never get weary especially during moments of trials and temptations. We believe that we can accomplish everything through Your mighty name and through the intercession of Mary our Mother. Amen.
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