Sunday, April 12th, 2020
Have a blessed Easter!
Easter Sunday: Readings & Reflections
Reading 1
Acts 10:34A, 37-43
"...that everyone who believes in him will receive
forgiveness of sins through his name."

In the First Reading, Peter has begun his evangelization work! Peter recalls the work of John the Baptist and the wonderous things that Jesus did before being put to death on the cross. He recalls the miracle of Jesus' resurrection and speaks with confidence of the mission Jesus gave the apostles to go out and spread the Gospel.

Reflection: What are some ways that you plan to share your faith with others? What gifts and opportunities can you use to share who Christ is?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 118
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!"

Today's psalm is filled with joy and gratitude! As we celebrate this blessed day of Easter, we are reminded of God's enduring love and all the beauty and goodness that He brings into our lives.

Reflection: What is one thing that is bringing you tremendous joy today? What would you like to give thanks to God for?
Reading 2
Colossians 3:1-4
" Seek what is above!"

At Easter, we too are raised from the dead! We are awakened to the knowledge of how much God loved us then at the cross and how much He still loves us now!

Reflection: What is one thing that you could do today to grow in holiness?
* Reading 2 (Option 2): 1 Corinthians 5:6B-8
Liturgical Note: After the long season of Lent, we are able to sing "ALLELUIA" again as we rejoice that Jesus rose from the dead! We now enter the liturgical season of Easter which is 50 days from the first Sunday of Easter to Pentecost.
Gospel
John 20:1-9

"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."
Reflection: Do you find that your faith is defined by "seeing and believing" or have you been able to have faith even when you don't have physical proof? What do you think Peter and the disciple were thinking as they raced to the tomb?
In John's resurrection story, the focus is placed on Peter and the other disciple after they receive news from Mary Magdala that the tomb is empty. Mary Magdala shares her fear that someone has taken Jesus' body.

There is something very redemptive about the way these faithful men (especially Peter) are portrayed as RUNNING to the tomb! Just days before, the apostles had run and hid. Yet, now they run TOWARDS Jesus rather than away from Him. We can only imagine what they were thinking as they raced to the tomb.

It says that after they saw the empty tomb and the burial clothes lying there that they "saw and believed" . We see this phrase often in the Gospels. We are reminded of how human Peter and the other apostles were. Despite, living and serving with Jesus during his years of ministry, they still had some doubt that he was the Messiah.
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