Easter Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection
Sunday Reflections
Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
First Reading: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.”
Psalm: 118 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.”
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 “If, then, you were raised with Christ, seek what is above.”
Gospel: John 20:1-9 “They did not yet understand the Scripture that He had to rise from the dead.”
You will note that the First Reading comes from the New Testament in the Easter Season: from the Acts of the Apostles. All throughout the year, our First Reading is taken from the Old Testament except for the fifty days of the Easter Season. It’s interesting to learn about the early Church and how the Apostles fared once Jesus had risen and ascended into Heaven.
We hear the first pope, the Apostle St. Peter, recount what happened to Jesus. “He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil,” yet “they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree.” Those two statements are juxtaposed one right next to the other, though the second does not seem to comport with the first. How do you go from “He went about doing good” to “they put Him to death”? Yet this is what happened. Death did not have the last word, however. “God raised (Him) on the third day and granted that He be visible,” not to all men, but to a select few whom God had chosen, “who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.” What a remarkable event this Resurrection is! Jesus rose victorious from the clutches of death and was able to dine with His friends! His broken Body was completely healed; He chose to retain the five wounds we know about – two in His hands and feet and the wound made by the lance in His side. He rose in a glorified Body, one which could pass through solid walls, yet He could be touched; He could be heard; He could eat.
Jesus “commissioned us to preach to the people” and to bear witness that “He is the One appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.” Imagine hearing that news if you had been part of the crowd which had condemned Jesus to death! You would be cut to the heart! Yet Peter states boldly, “Everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins through His Name.” We must be contrite to take hold of that mercy, and we must “go and sin no more” as Jesus told the woman caught in adultery when He forgave her. Let us rejoice today that Jesus Christ is not only the just Judge, but the merciful Savior as well. God is so very good to us!
Today’s psalmist sings out: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!” We are exhorted to “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.” Because of His great mercy, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Once we have been forgiven our sins, we are to sing this out to the world, sharing the Good News of salvation with all whom we meet. “By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.” Yes, Jesus’ Resurrection – His victory over sin and death - is wonderful indeed!
The Second Reading comes from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. St. Paul contrasts what is “above” and what is “on Earth.” We are to keep our eyes and our hearts on “where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” It’s so easy to get entangled in the worries, cares, struggles, and temptations of this world, but this world is not all there is. There is so much more to life! Keep your heart “hidden with Christ in God…then you, too, will appear with Him in glory.”
St. John narrates the Resurrection of the Lord, and we rejoice with Mary Magdalene as she discovers the empty tomb. We Catholics believe in the historicity of the Resurrection: Jesus really died, was truly buried, and rose bodily from the grave. Is this an ordinary occurrence? Naturally not! It is the only time that someone rose bodily from the grave under His own power, and rose to never die again! I love Mary Magdalene’s cry: “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put Him.” Have you ever felt as if you had lost the Lord? Have you felt as if He were absent? Fear not, for He is always with us. Soon, He will speak our name to rouse our hearts, as Mary Magdalene recognized Him when He spoke her name. Respond to Him generously when He speaks your name; He is calling you to greatness! Sing praises to Him on this glorious Easter Sunday!
