EASTER SUNDAY: Catholic Mass Reading + Reflection, 17th April, 2022

FIRST READING

Acts 10:34a.37-43 “We ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

In those days: Peter opened his mouth and said, “You know 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.”

The word of the Lord

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 118: 1-2.15c- 17.22-23 (R. 24)

R/. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.

Or: Alleluia

Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;

his mercy endures forever.

Let the house of Israel say,

“His mercy endures forever.” R/.

“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds;

his right hand is exalted.

The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds.”

I shall not die, I shall live

and recount the deeds of the Lord. R/.

The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone.

By the Lord has this been done,

a marvel in our eyes. R/.

SECOND READING

“Seek the things that are above, where Christ is.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 3:1-4)

Brethren: If 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 hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The word of the Lord.

Or the following:

SECOND READING

“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be new dough.”

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:6b-8)

Do you not know that a little leaven leavens all the dough? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be new dough, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

The word of the Lord.

SEQUENCE (prose text)

To the Paschal Victim let Christians offer a sacrifice of praise.

The Lamb redeemed the sheep.

Christ, sinless, reconciled sinners to the Father.

Death and life were locked together in a unique struggle.

Life’s captain died; now he reigns, never more to die.

Tell us, Mary, “What did you see on the way?” “I saw the tomb of the now living Christ.

I saw the glory of Christ, now risen. “I saw angels who gave witness;

the cloths too which once had covered head and limbs. “Christ my hope has arisen.

He will go before his own into Galilee.”

We know that Christ has indeed risen from the dead. Do you, conqueror and king, have mercy on us.

Amen. Alleluia.

Or the following:

SEQUENCE (poetic text)

Christians, to the Paschal Victim

Offer your thankful praises!

A Lamb the sheep redeems: Christ, who only is sinless,

Reconciles sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:

The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.

Speak, Mary, declaring

What you saw, wayfaring.

“The tomb of Christ, who is living,

The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;

Bright angels attesting,

The shroud and napkin resting.

Yes, Christ my hope is arisen:

To Galilee he goes before you.”

Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.

Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!

Amen. Alleluia.

Or the following:

Sequence (Latin text) (Victimæ Paschàli Laudes)

Victimæ paschàli laudes immolent Christiàni.

Agnus redémit oves: Christus innocens Patri reconciliàvit peccatôres.

Mors et vita duéllo conflixére miràndo: dux vitæ mörtuus regnat vivus.

Dic nobis, Maria, quid vidisti in via?

Sepùlcrum Christi vivéntis: et glöriam vidi resurgéntis,

Angélicos testes, sudàrium et vestes.

Surréxit Christus spes mea: præcédet suos in Galil”æam.

Scimus Christum surrexisse a môrtuis vere:

tu nobis, victor Rex, miserére.

Amen. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA 1 Corinthians 5:7b.8a

Alleluia. Christ, our Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed; let us, therefore, celebrate the festival in the Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“He must rise from the dead.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 20:1-9

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene 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 towards 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.

The Gospel of the Lord.

OR

GOSPEL

“He has risen and he is going before you to Galilee.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, towards the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Behold, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

The Gospel of the Lord

THIS GOSPEL READING IS FOR AFTERNOON AND EVENING MASS.

GOSPEL

“They recognised him in the breaking of the bread.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 24: 13-35)

That very day [the first day of the week], two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each, other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the Eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Gospel of the Lord.

THE CREED (I Believe)

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Christ our hope is risen!

PRIEST: My brothers and sisters this is the day the Lord has made when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Let us turn to God our Father in prayer to ask him through our Risen Lord, to give us all the graces necessary to be witnesses to the power of the Resurrection.

READER: FOR THE CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST, (pause) may she preach Christ’s resurrection as her own triumph over sin, death and the world, and thus proclaim the victory by which Jesus is Lord, to the glory of the Father. (pause) Hear us, O Lord; let your light shine upon us we pray Oh Lord.

FOR THE LEADERS OF OUR GOVERNMENT, (pause) may hey bring the hope of the resurrection to all the people of this land, and seek peace and harmony in industry, and in all areas of public life. (pause) Hear us, O Lord; let your light shine upon us we pray Oh Lord.

FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED AND THOSE IN DISTRESS, (pause) may their sorrow be turned into joy, and may all Christians, through the power of the resurrection, give them renewed hope for the future. (pause) Hear us, O Lord; let your light shine upon us we pray Oh Lord.

FOR THE SICK AND THE DYING, (pause) may they see that their suffering is an invitation by Christ himself to share in his glory. (pause) Hear us, O Lord; let your light shine upon us we pray Oh Lord.

We pray in silence for our own intentions, in and through the power of the Risen Lord.

PRIEST: Father, hear the prayers we offer with all our hearts, so that the message of Easter may be with us always.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

On being alerted by Mary Magdalene, Peter and John run to the Lord’s tomb to see if the body had been stolen by someone-a hypothesis that was ruled out by what they saw there. They re-read the event in a new way, in the light of Scripture.

The liturgical assembly on Easter day exults in realizing all the hopes of the messianic people of God-the hope of liberation, of entering into the Promised Land, of restoration of justice, of new earth and new heavens. The faithful of Christ have entered into this new reality and live and move in its light. The real newness is Christ who came into the world lived with humans, died and rose again and is ever present.

It is in him that the interior human being is renewed every day (2cor 4:6). The exterior man, the old reality, needs to be broken to open up the way for the birth of the new human reality, the fruit of redemption in Christ. “To put on Christ” is one of the many expressions coined by St Paul to present this mysterious reality of grace. To put on Christ means to enter into him and to live in him so that our life becomes hidden in him and with him in God. Thus, “anyone who is in Christ is a new creature. The Christian is dead to sin and risen with Christ to new life.

PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL

When we truly love a person from the depth of our heart, we will respect that person and will not want to cause the person pain. Our attitude to life should either show God that we love Him and have Him as our one and only God or that we are interested in other gods. We show God that we love Him by keeping His commandments and by respecting the sacredness of the temple of which we are and represent.

We must not let our familiarity with God’s house breed contempt, instead, we must try to show God respect by doing that which will please Him and give glory to His name.

Learn to separate between the secular and the sacred, and always work hard to build up yourself in such a way that respect to God and His commandments comes first above every other thing you may desire in this life.

Let Us Pray:

Lord Jesus, may my acceptance of your cross bring me everlasting joy. Amen.