The Happiest Day!

First Reading: Acts 10:34, 37-43

And Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Psalm: Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Gospel: John 20:1-9

Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Reflection
By Fely Santiago

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad”

Yes, it’s Easter Sunday! A grand time to celebrate, a grand time to rejoice. The Lord has risen! He is alive!

This is also a time to leave our past behind. Put our fears and our doubts behind. There is no more worry about tomorrow. God has given us a new life through our Lord Jesus. He died for us on the cross to rescue us from our sinfulness. He saved us so we can have eternal life. Let us put all our hope and trust in God. Let us look forward to a bright tomorrow!

For those of us who are really suffering right now because of lingering illness, financial crisis, broken relationship with family, loss of job – have hope. God is bigger than your biggest problems. The Good Friday or Black Saturday in your life will surely end because Easter Sunday always comes. God promised He will never leave us nor forsake us. This is what Jesus did! He came back to life to show His unconditional love for all of us! Easter Sunday gives us hope and a new life! Just believe and rejoice!

During the coming weeks as we wake up each morning, reflecting on the Resurrection of our Lord, we can take a pause and simply thank God for the gift of life! Every day we are alive is a miracle! And thank God for the life that Jesus won for us. The gift of eternal life! Then we can live more freely, more gratefully. If death has not hold on us, then many of our fears, our worries and anxieties would melt away! Our ultimate home is in heaven! So always have a grateful heart now matter what! Choose to be happy always because Jesus is always alive in our hearts!

Prayer   Jesus, You are alive! Thank You, thank You for giving us hope! Thank You for dying for us to save us and give us eternal life. Now we can look forward to a bright tomorrow full of hope, full of confidence that You will never leave us or abandon us. You will always be there to hold our hands to guide us. Thank You, thank You Jesus for Easter Sunday! I love you Lord!  Amen. Alleluia!