Blessings to all as we celebrate Easter within the confines of our homes. Our readings this Sunday focus on the bewilderment of Mary Magdalene and the other apostles as they discover the empty tomb. During this pandemic, our experience may be the same. In this very surreal world, it is hard for us to see our churches empty. Where is the Lord? The answer is clear. He is Risen and he is with you! Happy Easter!
On Holy Saturday, a GotToMeeting with Bishop John Dolan will be offered to reflect on the readings of Easter Sunday. Sign up at christ-ion.com and the Christ in Our Neighborhood team will register you for one of three Saturday morning Scripture sharing sessions at 7 am PST, 9am PST, or 11 am PST. Only 15 members per session will be allowed in order to allow for effective sharing. So, sign up today!
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free! May we celebrate your rising from the dead with joy, knowing that we shall follow you through death into life! We ask this in your Holy name. Amen.
1st Reading: Acts 10: 34, 37-43
This bold address by Peter is a declaration that Jesus rose from the dead in body and soul. Peter makes it clear that those who saw the Risen Lord also “ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”
In this Easter Season, we rediscover the testimony of the early church that Jesus did not just rise “spiritually.” He rose bodily.
We only have a taste of what his glorious body looked like. He still had nail marks and wounds, he was dressed in white, and he appeared before the disciples even if the doors were locked.
We do not know what our bodies will look like after our death. But, they will be glorious.
Meanwhile, we must believe in the power of Christ who rose triumphant from the grave! Only he can forgive our sins and only he can raise us from the chains of death.
There are many in our world today who cannot accept this truth. Yet, the apostles each went to their death as martyrs testifying to what they witnessed. They each could have recanted their testimony when faced with death, but they didn’t. They saw and they believed!
Question
Why is Christ’s resurrection important to you?
2nd Reading: Col. 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5: 6-8
The Second Reading for Easter Sunday comes from either Colossians or 1 Corinthians.
While both readings are markedly different, there is one similarity: The new replaces the old.
In Colossians, we are challenged to look at the “new” things of heaven where Christ is, rather than the things of earth. We have died to the things of this world. We live now in the newness of Christ!
In 1 Corinthians, we are reminded to be the unleavened bread (the Body) of Christ and to throw away the “old” yeast that infects the bread. The old yeast is the world that is destined for corruption. We are foolish to hang on to the old world which is passing away when we have Christ who is Risen from death.
This Easter, we celebrate the feast with “the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
Questions
How are you living in the newness of Christ?
How are you leaving the things of this world behind?
Gospel: John 20: 1-9
Mary Magdalene is considered to be the “Apostle to the Apostles” because she was the first to witness the empty tomb.
An early Christian tradition has it that, after the Ascension of Jesus, Mary went to the Emperor of Rome and greeted him with “Christ has risen,” whereupon he pointed to an egg on his table and stated, “Christ has no more risen than that egg is red.” After making this statement it is said the egg immediately turned blood red. The Orthodox Church paint their eggs red to this day. Others paint their eggs with many colors.
Whether this tradition holds up or not, the truth that “Christ is Risen” does.
For more than two thousand years, the power of the Resurrection has changed the lives of billions of people.
Question
How has Christ’s Resurrection changed your life?
This Week's Task
Easter is not just for a day. Though it is the Feast of Feasts and Solemnities of Solemnities, we celebrate Easter for 50 days. During this Season, we read the Scriptures and recall the joyful experiences of the early Christian community.
Over the next eight days, the Octave of Easter, we read through each of the Resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples.
Consider attending daily Mass (on-line at your parish) for the Easter Octave and rediscover the joys found in the Risen Lord. Consult the parish bulletin or website for daily Mass times.
Easter Sequence
Pray the following as a group or alone:
Christians, to the Paschal victim offer your thankful praises!
A lamb the sheep redeeming: Christ, who only is sinless, reconciles a lost world to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: the Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Tell, Mary, we will hearken what you saw in the garden: “The tomb of Christ, who is living; the glory of Jesus’resurrection;
bright angels attesting, the shroud and napkin resting. For Christ my hope is arisen; to Galilee he will go before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining; have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen.
Alleluia!
Psalm
Response: Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.”
R/ Alleluia.
“The right hand of the LORD has struck with power; the right hand of the LORD is exalted. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.”
R/ Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.
R/ Alleluia.
Conclude with an Our Father
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