THE LORD IS RISEN! ALLELUIA
First Reading: Acts 10: 34 and 37-43
Second Reading: Colossians 3: 1-4
Gospel Reading: John 20: 1-9
*First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter and other Apostles give a powerful and convincing testimony regarding the life of Jesus: His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. The Apostles had the unique privilege of meeting the Risen Lord personally- sharing meals with Him and experiencing His life-giving presence. He assures them that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. Paul explains to the Colossian community and all of us that through our baptism we share in the life of the Risen Lord. Hence we have to set our minds on heavenly things and not on earthly things. Those who believe in the Lord will also share in the glory of the Risen Lord.
Finding the empty tomb points to the resurrection of Jesus. Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. A detailed description of the happenings on Easter Sunday morning is given. The first visitor to the tomb of Jesus was Mary Magdalene. She found that the tomb of Jesus was empty and she thought that the body of Jesus was taken away by someone. She hurriedly went and reported the matter to the disciples. Peter and John, two of the Apostles went to the tomb and found it to be empty. The truth of what the scriptures had foretold began to dawn upon them that Jesus would rise from the dead. The empty tomb by itself is not a proof of the resurrection of Jesus. But it is an indication that Jesus is not to be found among the dead. Later the disciples had several personal appearances of the risen Lord on various occasions and their faith was strengthened by those comforting and life-giving experiences. They finally realized that Jesus is truly risen from the dead. In our case too although we have the testimony of the Apostles and other disciples that Jesus is risen we need to be strengthened in our faith by personally experiencing the risen Lord.
MAY THE RISEN LORD BLESS YOU AND STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH
"The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a prison but a passage into God's presence. Easter says, you can put truth in a grave but it won't stay there." - C.W. Hall
"The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it DOES NOT CONTAIN." - S. Morris
Christ the Lord is risen today. Sons of men and angels say: Raise your joys and triumphs high! Sing ye heavens and earth reply." - C. Wesley
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