Catholic Caucus: Easter Sunday Mass Readings, 4-20-03, Resurrection of the Lord

Reading I
Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Peter proceeded to speak and said:
"You know what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism
that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.
We are witnesses of 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.
This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible,
not to all the people, but to us,
the witnesses chosen by God in advance,
who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
He commissioned us to preach to the people
and testify that he is the one appointed by God
as judge of the living and the dead.
To him all the prophets bear witness,
that everyone who believes in him
will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."

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

R. (24) This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. 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. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
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. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
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. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading II
Col 3:1-4

Brothers and sisters:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.

or

1 Cor 5:6b-8

Brothers and sisters:
Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough?
Clear out the old yeast,
so that you may become a fresh batch of dough,
inasmuch as you are unleavened.
For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed.
Therefore, let us celebrate the feast,
not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Gospel
At an afternoon or evening Mass, Luke 24:13-35 may be read. The Gospel from the Easter Vigil may also be read in place of the following Gospel at any time of the day.

Jn 20:1-9

On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
"They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don't know where they put him."
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead.

From: Acts 10:34, 37-43

Peter's Address

[34] And Peter opened his mouth and said, "(You know the) [37] word
which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after
the baptism which John preached; [38] 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. [39] 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; [40] but God raised Him on the third day and made Him manifest;
[41] 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.
[42] 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.
[43] To Him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes
in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name."

Commentary:

34-43. Peter's short address is his first to non-Jews. It begins with
the central idea that God is impartial: He wants all men to be saved
through the proclamation of the Gospel (verses 34-36) and, finally, the
statement (the first time it appears in Acts) that Jesus Christ has
been made Judge of the living and the dead (verse 42). As in all
Christian preaching to Gentiles, proofs from Scripture take a secondary
place (verse 43).

34. This verse refers to 1 Samuel 16:7, where the Lord, in connection
with the anointing of David as king of Israel, tells the prophet, "Do
not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I
have rejected him; for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the
outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." When God calls
and offers salvation to His elect, He does not judge as men do. With
Him distinctions regarding social class, race, sex or education do not
count.

Here St. Peter proclaims that the Old Testament prophecies about the
Jews and the Gentiles forming one single nation (Isaiah 2:2-4; Joel
2:28; Amos 9:12; Micah 4:1) and Jesus' words calling everyone to enter
His Kingdom (cf. Matthew 8:11; Mark 16:15-16; John 10:16) should be
interpreted literally.

40. Peter's summary of the Gospel of Jesus (verses 37-41) reaches its
climax with his statement that "God raised Him on the third day." This
had become the usual way of referring to our Lord's resurrection (cf.
1 Corinthians 15:4); see note on Acts 4:10.

42. This verse refers to Christ's role as Judge: He has been made
supreme Judge over all mankind and will deliver His judgment at His
second coming (Parousia). "The Sacred Scriptures inform us that there
are two comings of the Son of God: the one when He assumed human flesh
for our salvation in the womb of a virgin; the other when He shall come
at the end of the world to judge all mankind" ("St. Pius V Catechism",
I, 8, 2).

Christ's coming as Judge means that men will appear before Him twice,
to render an account of their lives--of their thoughts, words, deeds
and omissions. The first judgment will take place "when each of us
departs this life; for then He is instantly placed before the
judgment-seat of God, where all that he has ever done or spoken or
thought during his life shall be subjected to the most rigid scrutiny.
This is called the Particular Judgment. The second occurs when on the
same day and in the same place all men shall stand together before the
tribunal of their Judge [...], and this is called the General Judgment"
("Ibid.", I, 8, 3).

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

From: Colossians 3:1-4

Seek the Things That Are Above

[1] If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are
above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Avoid Sin

[2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on
earth. [3] For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
[4] When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with
Him in glory.

Commentary:

1-4. The more ethical and exhortatory part of the letter begins at this
point. It is a practical application of the teaching given in the
earlier chapters, designed to suit the circumstances that have arisen in
the Colossian church.

By His death and resurrection the Son of God frees us from the power of
Satan and of death. "By Baptism men are grafted into the paschal
mystery of Christ; they die with him, are buried with Him, and rise with
Him" (Vatican II, "Sacrosanctum Concilium", 6). In other words,
Christians have been raised to a new kind of life, a supernatural life,
whereby they share, even while on earth, in the glorious life of the
risen Jesus. This life is at present spiritual and hidden, but when our
Lord comes again in glory, it will become manifest and glorious.

Two practical consequences flow from this teaching--the need to seek the
"things that are above", that is, the things of God; and the need to
pass unnoticed in one's everyday work and ordinary life, yet to do
everything with a supernatural purpose in mind.

As regards the first of these the Second Vatican Council has said: "In
their pilgrimage to the Heavenly city Christians are to seek and relish
the things that are above (cf. Colossians 3:1-2): this involves not a
lesser, but a greater commitment to working with all men to build a
world that is more human" ("Gaudium Et Spes", 57). Work, family
relationships, social involvements--every aspect of human
affairs--should be approached in a spirit of faith and done perfectly,
out of love: "The true Christian, who acts according to this faith",
Monsignor Escriva comments, "always has his sights set on God. His
outlook is supernatural. He works in this world of ours, which he loves
passionately; he is involved in all its challenges, but all the while
his eyes are fixed on Heaven" ("Friends of God", 206).

Ordinary life, everyday interests, the desire to be better and to serve
others without seeking public recognition of one's merits--all this
makes for holiness if done for love of God. A simple life "hid with
Christ in God" (verse 3) is so important that Jesus Himself chose to
spend the greater part of His life on earth living like an ordinary
person: He was the son of a tradesman. "As we meditate on these truths,
we come to understand better the logic of God. We come to realize that
the supernatural value of our life does not depend on accomplishing
great undertakings suggested to us by our over-active imagination.

Rather it is to be found in the faithful acceptance of God's will, in
welcoming generously the opportunities for small, daily sacrifice"
(St J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 172).

This means that those who try to seek holiness by imitating Jesus in His
hidden life will be people full of hope; they will be optimistic and
happy people; and after their death they will share in the glory of the
Lord: they will hear Jesus' praise, "Well done, good and faithful
servant; you have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much;
enter into the joy of your Master" (Matthew 25:21).

On the value of the hidden life, see the note on Luke 2:15.

FEAST OF THE DAY

The Lord is risen, Alleluia, Alleluia. By the Passion, Death and
Resurrection of the Lord we are saved and in response we sing out
joyfully in thanksgiving for our salvation. We may again use the word
of rejoicing, Alleluia, in our liturgies and the Gloria is proclaimed
regularly at Mass again. The joy of Easter does not end at the end of
the Triduum celebrations tonight at evening prayer. The celebration
of our salvation lasts for fifty days until we celebrate the birth of the
Church at the feast of Pentecost. Immediately after Easter we enter
into an octave of celebration that keeps the mysteries we just
celebrated clear in our minds and on our hearts.

For the next fifty days of Easter celebration we are walking with the
newborn Church in two ways. At Mass we are reminded of the
actions of the new Church and its first efforts at evangelization. This
reaches its fruition at the feast of Pentecost when the Church is
established by the coming of the Holy Spirit. We are also walking
with the newborn into the Church. Those who were welcomed into
the fullness of the Faith at the Easter Vigil are now with us and the
excitement and discovery of their Faith encourages us to deepen our
own excitement and love for God. To remind us of our own entrance
into the Church and the cleansing of our sins, renewal of Baptismal
promises occurs today after the homily instead of the profession of
the Creed.

----

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Through the paschal mystery we have been buried with Christ in
baptism, so that we may rise with him to a new life. Now that we
have completed our lenten observance, let us renew the promises
we made in baptism when we rejected Satan and all his works, and
promised to serve God faithfully in His holy Catholic Church. -Taken
from prayers on Easter Sunday in the Sacramentary

----

TODAY IN HISTORY

1139 2nd Lateran Council (10th ecumenical council) opens in Rome
1884 Pope Leo XIII encyclical "Humanum genus (On Freemasonry)

----

TODAY'S TIDBIT

The readings that we heard last night at the Easter Vigil are
designed to show us the plan of God for our salvation. It illustrates
the history of our salvation from the Garden of Eden to Jesus'
Passion, Death and Resurrection.

----

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray that the celebration of the Easter Mysteries may inspire
all people to a deeper relationship with God.

Thought for the Day

Sequence (read before Gospel)

Forth to the Paschal Victim, Christians, bring
Your sacrifice of praise:
The Lamb redeems the sheep;
And Christ, the sinless One,
Hath to the Father sinners reconciled.
Together death and life
In strange conflict strove.
The Prince of Life, who died,
Now lives and reigns.
What thou sawest, Mary, say,
As thou wentest on the way.
"I saw the tomb wherein the living One had lain,
I saw His glory as He rose again;
Napkin and linen cloths, and angels twain:
Yea, Christ has risen, my hope, and He
Will go before you into Galilee."
We know that Christ has risen from the grave:
Hail, Thou, King of Victory,
Have mercy Lord, and save.
Amen. Alleluia.

-- Victimae paschali laudes

The Word Among Us

Sunday, April 20, 2003

Meditation
John 20:1-9

Easter Sunday

Today is the Sunday of all Sundays, the great celebration of the resurrection of Jesus! On this day, we join with the disciples as they race to the tomb and discover it empty. We don’t have to linger on the outside with our doubts and fears. We can accompany the beloved disciple who went into the tomb and “saw and believed” (John 20:8). Then, with Mary Magdalene, we can embrace Jesus as our risen Lord.

During Lent, we searched our hearts to find the stones that block us from the resurrection life. Now Jesus has rolled back these stones so that we can enter into a life of freedom and hope and joy. Let this be a day of celebration! Jesus has triumphed over every obstacle. He has obtained everything we need. We can rest in his arms, knowing that we are secure.

Let’s stay close to Jesus in the joy of the resurrection. Though world events may be cause for serious concern, though the “unpredictables” of daily life may challenge our patience and trust, Jesus is with us. He wants the joy and stone-moving power of this day to be available to us always. In faith, we can pursue the lifetime goal of continual resurrections over everything that keeps us from recognizing our privileged position as “beloved disciple.”

Now is the time to raise your head and “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Why? Because “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” (Colossians 3:2-4). Just as John looked inside the empty tomb and believed, we believe that the same Jesus who died and was thought to be gone forever is now alive. Our faith in his resurrection means we can put our trust in his entire life. All his words are true. All his promises—and all our hopes and dreams—will be fulfilled. As the light of the resurrection dawns with increasing brilliance, let your Easter alleluia burst forth!

“What a beautiful life you have given me, Lord Jesus! Let me sing of the glorious hope that comes from your resurrection. With each day—but especially today—make my joy a gift to you, a grateful acknowledgment of the love you have for me.”

One Bread, One Body

<< Sunday, April 20, 2003 >>

Easter Sunday

Romans 6:3-11
Acts 10:34, 37-43
Colossians 3:1-4 or
1 Corinthians 5:6-8

(Vigil readings)
(Sunday readings)

Mark 16:1-8
Psalm 118
John 20:1-9

View Readings

THE DARK SIDE OF THE RESURRECTION

“Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away.” —John 20:1

Jesus is risen from the dead! Alleluia! “This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it” (Ps 118:24).

I am writing this teaching for Easter with an IV in my arm, as I await having a tube put down my throat. This may be followed by other tortures, which may lead to surgery. What kind of Easter celebration is this!

“While it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb” (Jn 20:1). Easter often begins when it’s dark. Possibly you are still in the night of a broken heart, painful marriage, shattered family, severe sickness, or pervasive pain. However, without the darkness of night, we would never see the sun rise. Without Jesus’ death on Calvary, He would not have risen.

If you begin this Easter season struggling to hope against hope (Rm 4:18), renew your baptismal promises and have faith in the Father through Jesus and in the Spirit. “Walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). Jesus is risen! He has victory over the darkness, and He will manifest it in your life. “At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing” (Ps 30:6). Rejoice in the risen Christ! Rejoice by faith! Rejoice when you are still in your night, for Jesus is the Light Who is sure to dawn (see 2 Pt 1:19). Alleluia forever!

Prayer: Father, should anyone ask me the reason for this hope of mine may I “be ever ready to reply” (1 Pt 3:15).

Promise: “Are you not aware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Through baptism into His death we were buried with Him, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life.” —Rm 6:3-4

Praise: Alleluia! Praise Jesus, risen Light, Hope, Lord, and God!

Happy Easter to Salvation and all!

Today, for the first time in many years, I attended Mass and was...pleasantly (VERY pleasantly) surprised!

While there was no procession of the Holy Eucharist, and no incense (I still miss not having them), and of course all the bells were absent, the service today was much more like the Masses of my childhood than any I have attended in years; the music was perfect, and even included the plainchant "Alleluia" and "Gloria." In addition to the lovely music from the choir, the soon-to-be-ordained deacon SANG the parts of the Mass he is entitled to sing, and all in all it was the most enjoyable service I'd been to in quite a long time. My children LOVED it! My oldest said, "I wish we could have Easter Mass EVERY week."

Hoping everyone has had a wonderful and blessed Easter Sunday (and remember...if your meal was anything like mine, tomorrow's not the day to have your cholesterol checked...),

I remain,
Yours,
VK

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