Readings for Monday in the Octave of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 2:14, 22-33
This is the first of the six professions (“kerygma” or proclamations) in Acts about the resurrection. In this proclamation, Peter, speaking to the Jews in Jerusalem (many of whom would have been in the crowd that saw Jesus crucified) reminds them that David had been made the promise of an eternal dynasty that had been fulfilled in the resurrected Messiah, Jesus.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
Psalm 16 is the song quoted in the Acts above. A song of thanksgiving that has become prophetic, it speaks clearly of the resurrection accomplished now in Christ. (“Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption”.
Gospel Mt 28:8-15
From Matthew’s Gospel we are told of Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Christ as she returned from the empty tomb. In this account, Mary is described as actually touching him. This differs from the description in the Gospel of St. John where Jesus asks Mary not to hold on to him because he has not yet ascended to the Father.
This scripture also tells us something we would expect of those who did not want to believe, that is the rumor that it was the disciples of Jesus who took the body rather than letting the truth get out.
Reflection:
For the modern world and many in it, Easter of 2007 has come and gone. For the Church and the faithful who recognize this as the most important event of all time, our celebration continues. For us the echoes of the Exultet, the Easter Proclamation still rings in our ears. Recall the third strophe;
Rejoice O Mother Church, exalt in glory. The risen Savior shines upon you. Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God’s people.
The tears and remorse of Good Friday have left and indeed that joy filled realization that the Savior has conquered death and fulfilled his promise has burst upon us. Has it really sunk in? Or, perhaps a better question might be, since we have relived this event each year for as long as we have been alive, has its meaning changed for us? Has it gotten closer to brining us the joy of Mary Magdalene who first saw that empty tomb and understood?
When we were children, we had been told the story from our earliest years of how Jesus was seized by evil men and nailed to a cross. We were hurriedly told, probably by our parents, that just three days later Jesus rose from the dead. We did not understand what it truly meant back then. Perhaps what Easter truly meant was the Easter Basket with chocolate bunnies and perhaps new clothes to wear to church.
As we grew older the meaning of the Easter story changed for us. Probably in our early teen years it became an emotional event. The Stations of the Cross during Lent were very moving and the mood of Good Friday was embraced. Easter was almost anticlimactic.
In our adult years the promise of Easter becomes more important. The sacrifice of the Lord becomes more real to us as we understand more completely the pain the Lord endured for us so that promise might be fulfilled. It is, in many ways like getting to know one’s spouse or a close friend; the process is on-going and never reaches its end because our own experiences continually sharpen our understanding.
This year we pray our appreciation and joy over the saving work that is Easter brings us closer to the true joy that is due to God’s children who have seen once more the Lord of Life conquer death and rise in glory. May our Alleluia reverberate throughout our lives in the season now upon us.
Pax
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 2:14, 22-33
This is the first of the six professions (“kerygma” or proclamations) in Acts about the resurrection. In this proclamation, Peter, speaking to the Jews in Jerusalem (many of whom would have been in the crowd that saw Jesus crucified) reminds them that David had been made the promise of an eternal dynasty that had been fulfilled in the resurrected Messiah, Jesus.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
Psalm 16 is the song quoted in the Acts above. A song of thanksgiving that has become prophetic, it speaks clearly of the resurrection accomplished now in Christ. (“Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption”.
Gospel Mt 28:8-15
From Matthew’s Gospel we are told of Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Christ as she returned from the empty tomb. In this account, Mary is described as actually touching him. This differs from the description in the Gospel of St. John where Jesus asks Mary not to hold on to him because he has not yet ascended to the Father.
This scripture also tells us something we would expect of those who did not want to believe, that is the rumor that it was the disciples of Jesus who took the body rather than letting the truth get out.
Reflection:
For the modern world and many in it, Easter of 2007 has come and gone. For the Church and the faithful who recognize this as the most important event of all time, our celebration continues. For us the echoes of the Exultet, the Easter Proclamation still rings in our ears. Recall the third strophe;
Rejoice O Mother Church, exalt in glory. The risen Savior shines upon you. Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God’s people.
The tears and remorse of Good Friday have left and indeed that joy filled realization that the Savior has conquered death and fulfilled his promise has burst upon us. Has it really sunk in? Or, perhaps a better question might be, since we have relived this event each year for as long as we have been alive, has its meaning changed for us? Has it gotten closer to brining us the joy of Mary Magdalene who first saw that empty tomb and understood?
When we were children, we had been told the story from our earliest years of how Jesus was seized by evil men and nailed to a cross. We were hurriedly told, probably by our parents, that just three days later Jesus rose from the dead. We did not understand what it truly meant back then. Perhaps what Easter truly meant was the Easter Basket with chocolate bunnies and perhaps new clothes to wear to church.
As we grew older the meaning of the Easter story changed for us. Probably in our early teen years it became an emotional event. The Stations of the Cross during Lent were very moving and the mood of Good Friday was embraced. Easter was almost anticlimactic.
In our adult years the promise of Easter becomes more important. The sacrifice of the Lord becomes more real to us as we understand more completely the pain the Lord endured for us so that promise might be fulfilled. It is, in many ways like getting to know one’s spouse or a close friend; the process is on-going and never reaches its end because our own experiences continually sharpen our understanding.
This year we pray our appreciation and joy over the saving work that is Easter brings us closer to the true joy that is due to God’s children who have seen once more the Lord of Life conquer death and rise in glory. May our Alleluia reverberate throughout our lives in the season now upon us.
Pax
[1] After 05/07
[2] The image today is “Christ and Mary Magdalene (Noli me tangere)” by Federico Fiori Barocci, 1590
[2] The image today is “Christ and Mary Magdalene (Noli me tangere)” by Federico Fiori Barocci, 1590
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