A Lifetime of Bliss

Easter Sunday
27 March 2016  

First reading
Acts 10:34,37-43

Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: ‘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.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 117:1-2,16-17,22-23

This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

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 Acclamation	1Cor5:7-8

Alleluia, alleluia!

Christ, our passover, has been sacrificed:

let us celebrate the feast then, in the Lord.

Alleluia!
 

Gospel	Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, but on entering discovered that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there. As they stood there not knowing what to think, two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side. Terrified, the women lowered their eyes. But the two men said to them, ‘Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? He is not here; he has risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee: that the Son of Man had to be handed over into the power of sinful men and be crucified, and rise again on the third day?’ And they remembered his words.

  When the women returned from the tomb they told all this to the Eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them also told the apostles, but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense, and they did not believe them.

  Peter, however, went running to the tomb. He bent down and saw the binding cloths but nothing else; he then went back home, amazed at what had happened.

 

Reflection
By Grace B. Madriñan

Last week was not a good week for our company. Restructuring has been happening worldwide and our management made a tough decision to let go some good people. Some of them were even my friends. All of a sudden, it all came back. That feeling I had during a recession some years ago came back in a flash – fear, anxiety, uncertainty.

But unlike the first time, my process of emotions was a bit fast tracked this time. I did cry out of sorrow thinking I will no longer see some of my friends the next day when I came back to the office.  But after a while,  I came back to my senses. I realized that this is just a pothole in our journey, not meant to hurt us but to slow us down and re-think our priorities -- that everything happens for a reason, that this re-direction may be a way of God’s blessings just as much as He blessed me when I crossed the same path.

That was it. I believe I was able to recover this fast because I have encountered this before. Despite the uncertainties and inconveniences of searching for another job in the past, I was able to witness how God moved in every circumstance and directed me to where I am now. God made me see the life beyond my comfort zone.

In a deeper context, the Lord’s resurrection we remember today is an assurance of what is to come. We no longer fear undergoing life’s turmoil, or even death because He Himself experienced this.  He demonstrated to us that mental, physical and emotional beating should not discourage us from pursuing the prize that is beyond this world. What is a moment of agony, compared to a lifetime of bliss – a lifetime with our Father Himself and the Kingdom He has prepared for us?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for offering Your life at the cross as a ransom for all. May Your resurrection bring us hope and fire to remain faithful despite the world’s hardships. In Your name, we pray. Amen.