Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Also Read: Mass Readings for 31 March 2024 Homily for 31 March 2024 – Sunday
Alleluia!! Christ Our Lord has Risen, Alleluia!!
First Reading: Acts 10: 34a, 37-43
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
In the first reading today, St. Peter is witnessing to Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. He had lived with Christ on the Earth and was the most vociferous and bold of all the disciples, after the Pentecost. St. Peter led by example and marshalled the others too to fearlessly proclaim God’s Word!
Let us shun the old, timid self; and put on the courageous, new spirit-filled life. In Jesus’ name, Alleluia, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly; the right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.” (16)
As we sing the great Alleluia, let us rejoice in the miracles in our life through Jesus Christ Our LORD.
Alleluia, Amen!
Second Reading: Colossians 3: 1-4
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (3)
St. Paul is urging us today, to set our minds “on things that are above” (2). We have died with Christ to our old self and we live hidden in Christ now. Let us remind ourselves every time we might get trapped in the material affairs of this world. Yes, we are to thrive in this life as Christ came to bring us abundance. (Jn10:10) But we may find ourselves being attacked by the enemy through worldly matters, spiritually weakening us. Yet, we are to get back up like Christ on the way to Calvary. He got up with the cross and carried it. He turned the symbol of shame into a symbol of victory for us.
Therefore, we have hope and we live in joy; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen, Alleluia!
Alleluia: First Corinthians 5: 7b-8a
Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (8)
Grant us the courage O Lord Jesus Christ to celebrate the festival with sincerity and truth. Amen, Alleluia.
Gospel: John 20: 1-9
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. (1)
“…while it was still dark…” she came to the tomb to honour her Rabbouni. Instead, she becomes the first disciple to see the Risen Christ! (Jn. 20:11-18) Even in the darkest hours, they longed for the Lord. The disciples and Mother Mary, might not have slept since the gruesome Passion of Christ! Sts. Peter and John were also witness to his transfiguration, they were close to him. Even as John had reclined next to Jesus (Jn. 13:23) at the Last Supper he wouldn’t have imagined the impending events that were to take place. As he stood at the foot of the cross of his dying savior, St. John could have been engulfed by the darkness that was around him that day.
Yet, the first Disciples of Christ showed great courage and sincerity to believe in the truth and proclaim it! Through the intercession of the first apostles, we ask Our Lord to grant us the courage and wisdom to proclaim and live the Gospel ourselves first. Then we will become witnesses in our own corner of the world!
May Jesus Christ the Sun who enlightens all people, shine in every corner of the world today. Lord Our Saviour, give us life! (Prayer from “A Simple Prayer Book-Catholic Truth Society.”).
In Jesus’ name, Amen, Alleluia, Amen!
Happy Easter!
