April 22, 2019

Easter M

April 22, 2019:  Monday of Easter Octave

See over 20 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen
  • See Easter Vigil for Psalm 16 settings (1st reading also quotes Ps 16)
Pope Francis Regina Cœli
The women, full of awe and joy, are leaving in a hurry to go and bring the news to the disciples; and at that moment Jesus presents himself before them, tells them not to be afraid, and encourages them to go announce what's happened.  All the Gospels emphasize the role of women as the first witnesses of the resurrection; they were the first to meet the Risen Christ and bring the message that he was alive.
Jesus' words to the women resound today too:  "Don't be afraid; go proclaim."  We're called to meet him and become his heralds.  The risen Jesus walks beside us, manifesting himself to those who call and love him.  We meet Jesus in prayer, simple joys lived with faith and gratitude, moments of friendship and welcome, or contemplating nature.
"Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here; he is risen."  Christ’s resurrection was unthinkable; it was the most shocking event in history.  But it's also proof of the victory of God's Love over sin and death, and it's a solid foundation for our hope.  Full text
Read

  • Acts 2:14, 22-33  Peter:  “Children of Israel, God worked mighty deeds through Jesus.  You killed Jesus, but God raised him up.  David says, "I saw the Lord; I shall not be disturbed.  I hope, because you won't abandon me or allow me to see corruption.  You made the paths of life known to me."  David died, but he knew God would set one of his descendants on his throne; he foresaw the Christ's resurrection.  We see God raised Jesus; he poured forth the Holy Spirit.
  • Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-11  "Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope."  I set the Lord before me.  My heart and soul rejoice.  You won't allow your faithful one to undergo corruption.
  • Mt 28:8-15  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary left the tomb to tell his disciples.  Jesus told them on the way, “Don't be afraid.  Tell them to go see me in Galilee.”  Some of the guard told the chief priests what happened.  The chief priests paid them off, telling them to say the disciples stole Jesus.  They did, and the story still circulates.
Reflect
  • Creighton:  "Easter fear":  In the midst of Easter joy, warmth, and hope, what about 'fear' in today’s gospel?  Peter gives us insight: “you killed [Jesus], using lawless men to crucify him.”  Jesus’ resurrection is not a generic overcoming of death; it's also the vindication of a man unjustly rejected, tortured, and executed.  The resurrection is an act of justice, so there's responsibility for his death.  There's fear in this. The gospel demonstrates the resurrection's unsettling character.  The women came to anoint a body, not find eternal life. The guards, blown away by a vision, fear the punishment they'll face when word gets out Jesus is missing.  The chief priests fear the destabilizing impact of the proclamation, “Jesus is Risen.”  The empty tomb breaks our conventions.  Mark originally ended with 'afraid.'  Matthew combined fear with joy, but even joy emerges from a context of pain and suffering:  “I understand the grief of people who have to endure suffering, yet we all have to let the joy of faith revive as quiet yet firm trust, even amid distress” (EG 6).  The Risen Jesus calls us through our fears. He commissioned the women, “Fear not.  Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, where they'll see me.” In darkness, with its betrayals, violence, and lies, light shines forth.  Life wins. Jesus wins. God wins. Go witness to the surprise of the gospel.
    The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
    della Francesca
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Road warrior":  On the road, Jesus told the women to tell his brothers to come meet him in Galilee. On the road he met two disciples and journeyed with them about seven miles.  On the road from Jerusalem to Gaza the Ethiopian eunuch was converted.  On the road to Damascus, Saul was converted.  What we now call Christianity was called "the Way" or "the road."  The Lord invites us to meet and follow him on the road, publicly and joyfully witnessing for him.  Christians who don't share their faith may see it erode. Get on the road!
  • Passionist:  In a short time, Mary Magdalene experienced the heartache of losing a treasured friend, confusion when she found the stone rolled away, fear that strangers had desecrated the tomb, hope that Jesus was right when he talked about the resurrection, and joy when he greeted her after his resurrection.  In the 1st reading, Peter proclaims the resurrection, putting it into Old Testament context.  He mentions several emotions when he quotes David saying that because God won't abandon us, we should be glad and dwell in hope.  God’s love and power liberated Jesus from death.  The resurrection is God’s answer to death, sin, and evil.  In raising Jesus, God promised to raise us, forgive our sins, and help us overcome evil.  This is why we're glad.  Understanding how God feels about you can change you and bring you gladness.  Because of our experience of the risen Lord, historically and personally, we exult and want to share the good news, to proclaim God's goodness, love, and power, to “praise the unseen God, the all-powerful Father, and his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ” (Exsultet).  We dwell in hope, knowing the best is yet to come.  “What oxygen is for the lungs, such is hope for the meaning of life” (Brunner).  There's hope that our sins are forgiven, that we can have joy and peace, that a new heaven and earth will come, with eternal life. Our hope comes from Christ's resurrection....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "News of the resurrection":  Jesus' disciples were prepared for neither his death nor resurrection.  "Did he really rise as he said he would?"  We too want to see before we believe.  The chief priests and scribes denied the guards' testimony, resolved not to believe he'd risen.
"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen"; it's a free gift from God, assent to the truth God reveals through his word.  Faith seeks understanding; that's why God enlightens us that we may know the hope he's called us to.  We've been born to a living hope through Christ's resurrection.  Through faith the Lord reveals himself to believers and fills them with new life in the Spirit....
Dress legend
  • 'Cross without Jesus' chain:  "You crucified Jesus, but God raised him up" (1st reading)
  • Car with mouth:  My tongue has exulted (1st reading)
  • Flesh-colored suspenders:  My flesh will dwell in hope (1st reading)
  • 'Dove' pin:  "Jesus poured forth the promise of the Spirit" (1st reading)
  • 'Helm' tie pin:  You've made known to me the paths of life (1st reading, psalm)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  "With him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed" (1st reading, psalm); Christ was exalted at God's right hand (1st reading)
  • 'Cups' tie:  Lord, my portion and cup (1st reading, psalm)
  • 'Heart' pin:  "My heart has been glad" (1st reading, psalm); "my heart exhorts me" (psalm)
  • 'Musical notes with "joy"' pin:  You'll fill me with joy in your presence (1st reading, psalm); the Marys were overjoyed (gospel)
  • 'Prize' pin:  "You alone are my prize" (psalm)
  • 'Runner' tie pin:  The Marys ran to announce the news (gospel)
  • 'Feet' pin:  The Marys embraced Jesus' feet when he met them (gospel)
  • 'Eyeball' pin:  "Tell my brothers to go to Galilee; they'll see me there" (gospel)
  • 'Money bag' tie pin:  The chief priests gave the soldiers hush money (gospel)
  • White shirt, cuff links, socks:  Color of day
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