Monday in the Octave of Easter
Lectionary: 261
Lectionary: 261
On the day of
Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
“You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.
Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
“You who are children of Israel, hear these words.
Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God
with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,
which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.
This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,
you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.
But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,
because it was impossible for him to be held by it.
For David says of him:
I saw the Lord ever before me,
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;
my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,
because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.
My brothers, one can confidently say to you
about the patriarch David that he died and was buried,
and his tomb is in our midst to this day.
But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him
that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,
he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,
that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld
nor did his flesh see corruption.
God raised this Jesus;
of this we are all witnesses.
Exalted at the right hand of God,
he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit
that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.”
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
“You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.
Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
“You who are children of Israel, hear these words.
Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God
with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,
which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.
This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,
you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.
But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,
because it was impossible for him to be held by it.
For David says of him:
I saw the Lord ever before me,
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;
my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,
because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.
My brothers, one can confidently say to you
about the patriarch David that he died and was buried,
and his tomb is in our midst to this day.
But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him
that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,
he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,
that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld
nor did his flesh see corruption.
God raised this Jesus;
of this we are all witnesses.
Exalted at the right hand of God,
he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit
that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.”
Responsorial PsalmPS 16:1-2A AND 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R. (1) Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaPS 118:24
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 28:8-15
Mary Magdalene and
the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce the news to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see me.”
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city
and told the chief priests all that had happened.
The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel;
then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
telling them, “You are to say,
‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’
And if this gets to the ears of the governor,
we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.
And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce the news to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see me.”
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city
and told the chief priests all that had happened.
The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel;
then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
telling them, “You are to say,
‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’
And if this gets to the ears of the governor,
we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.
And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
Meditation: News of the resurrection
Are you prepared to meet the Risen Lord? The disciples of Jesus
were as unprepared for his resurrection as they were for his death. The empty
tomb made them fearful and joyful at the same time. "Where did they put
the body or did he really rise just as he predicted?" Even though
Jesus had spoken to them before of his death and rising, they could not believe
until they saw the empty tomb and met the risen Lord. Aren't we the same? We
want to see with our own eyes before we believe! The guards brought their
testimony to the chief priests and elders who met the news with denial. They
were resolved to not believe that Jesus had risen and they bribed the guards in
the hope of keeping others from believing.
What is the basis of our faith in the resurrection? The
scriptures tell us that "faith is the assurance of things hoped
for, the conviction of things not seen"(Hebrews 11:1). Faith is an
entirely free gift that God makes to us. Our faith is a free assent to the
whole truth which God reveals to us through his word. Faith is certain because
it is based on the very word of God who cannot lie. Faith also seeks understanding.
That is why God enlightens the "eyes of our hearts" that we may know
what is the hope to which he has called us (Ephesians 1:18). Peter the Apostle
says we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). Through the gift of
faith, the Lord reveals himself to those who believe in his word and he fills
them with "new life in his Holy Spirit". Do you live in the joy and
hope of the resurrection? And do you recognize the presence of the Risen Lord
in his word, in the "breaking of the bread", and in his church, the
body of Christ?
"Lord Jesus, may we always live in the joy and hope of the
resurrection and never lose sight of its truth for our lives."
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The Supreme Measure of Paschal Joy |
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April 6, 2015.
Monday in the Octave of Easter
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Matthew 28:8-15
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away
quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his
disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They
approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them,
“Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will
see me.” While they were going, some of the guards went into the city and
told the chief priests all that had happened. They assembled with the elders
and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
telling them, "You are to say, ´His disciples came by night and stole
him while we were asleep.´ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we
will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." The soldiers took the
money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among
the Jews to the present day.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, you are the source of all life because
you are life itself. Your resurrection from the dead gives me the hope of
being raised from the dead to rejoice with you forever in heaven. I need to
dwell more often on the good you have done for us and on your promises to
those who put their trust in you. Thank you, Jesus, for taking up your life
again and leading the way home to heaven. I love you, and I want to follow
after you with all my heart. I want to cooperate more fully with you in
bringing many others there with me.
Petition: Lord, as a fruit of my experiencing your
love, grant me the grace of witnessing to you.
1. Coming into the Light of the
Resurrection: Contemplate the
women at the tomb. Feel their distress upon entering an open and empty tomb.
Experience their fears for where the body might be. Share in their joy
because their faith, and ours, awakens to the reality of Our Lord’s
resurrection. Indeed, it is true! He has truly risen! Alleluia! Approach him
and bow down, then adore and embrace the loving feet of Our Lord. He wants to
be our strength, our light and our love. He wants to be our Lord.
2. From Contemplatives to Missionaries: From our contemplation we must become
missionaries. This is the instruction Our Lord gives these privileged women:
“Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”From their
adoration, Our Lord calls them to be witnesses to the world, beginning first
with the apostles. These women, insignificant in the eyes of the world, have
become irreplaceable heralds of the Gospel. Why? It is not because of any
social class or role they had had. Rather, it is because of the faith and
love with which they would live and accomplish the mission entrusted to them.
They were faithful to Our Lord in spreading the Good News of the Resurrection
to the apostles and the world.
3. Obedience of Faith Allows Us to See: Our Lord asks the apostles to obey his
command: “Go to Galilee … there they will see me.” Christ requires our
obedience in order for us to see him in faith and experience his
resurrection. Without obedience, we might not recognize him. The guards at
the tomb were obedient to the orders of the chief priests. Yet the guards
lacked faith, so they did not believe what they saw and thus did not adore.
We all obey someone. However, it is obedience to Christ that leads to faith
which leads to life: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life” (John
3:36).
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you for this time I have
spent with you in prayer and contemplation of your resurrection. Help me
always to grow and mature in my faith. Without it I am lost. Without it I am
unable to see you, and if I cannot see you, how will I be able to follow you?
I place my trust in you and your promise of eternal life.
Resolution: I will make a special effort to speak well
of others today, especially those with whom I may disagree.
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SOLEMNITY OF EASTER MONDAY, MATTHEW 28:8-15
(Acts 2:14, 22-33; Psalm 16)
(Acts 2:14, 22-33; Psalm 16)
KEY VERSE: "Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me" (v 10).
TO READ: By the time Matthew wrote his gospel there was a dispute between the Jewish leaders and the followers of Jesus regarding the meaning of the empty tomb. The religious leaders believed Jesus' followers had stolen his body. Matthew maintained that women were the only eye-witnesses of the empty tomb. The men had fled Jerusalem after Jesus' arrest (Matt 26:56); therefore they could not be guilty of stealing his body. When the women came to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body, they were commanded by an angelic messenger to inform the disciples that Jesus had been raised from the dead. They were afraid because a woman's testimony was not considered valid, yet they hastened to announce the joyful news that Jesus had risen. As they went on their way, the Risen Christ appeared to them and told them to have no fear. He would meet his disciples in Galilee.
TO REFLECT: Is there someone I know who needs to hear the good news of the Resurrection?
TO RESPOND: Risen Lord, help me to overcome my fears as I proclaim your gospel.
Monday 6 April 2015
Easter Monday.
Acts 2:14, 22-33. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope—Ps 15(16):1-2, 5, 7-11. Matthew 28:8-15.
Acts 2:14, 22-33. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope—Ps 15(16):1-2, 5, 7-11. Matthew 28:8-15.
‘I take shelter in you.’
In one way, it is easy to
identify with the psalmist today. We know in our head that God offers us
shelter at all times. But God awaits our response, and that doesn’t always
follow. We still sometimes act as though we can go it alone.
But we remember the story
of Elijah, ‘that God was in the gentle breeze.’ Feeling the gentle breeze, we
realise that God is sheltering us. We feel safe, supported and secure. This
‘letting go and letting God’ can take time. Over the years, we know we become
more aware of God’s presence. It is a joy that brings us peace.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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Nestled in Love
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God is holding you in His heart, right at this very moment. It’s a
fact that can make you feel so small yet so big at the same time.
April
6
St. Crescentia Hoess
(1682-1744)
St. Crescentia Hoess
(1682-1744)
Crescentia was born in 1682 in a little town near Augsburg, the
daughter of a poor weaver. She spent play time praying in the parish church,
assisted those even poorer than herself and had so mastered the truths of her
religion that she was permitted to make her holy Communion at the then
unusually early age of seven. In the town she was called "the little
angel."
As she
grew older she desired to enter the convent of the Tertiaries of St. Francis.
But the convent was poor and, because Crescentia had no dowry, the superiors
refused her admission. Her case was then pleaded by the Protestant mayor of the
town to whom the convent owed a favor. The community felt it was forced into
receiving her, and her new life was made miserable. She was considered a burden
and assigned nothing other than menial tasks. Even her cheerful spirit was
misinterpreted as flattery or hypocrisy.
Conditions
improved four years later when a new superior was elected who realized her
virtue. Crescentia herself was appointed mistress of novices. She so won the
love and respect of the sisters that, upon the death of the superior,
Crescentia herself was unanimously elected to that position. Under her the
financial state of the convent improved and her reputation in spiritual matters
spread. She was soon being consulted by princes and princesses as well as by
bishops and cardinals seeking her advice. And yet, a true daughter of Francis,
she remained ever humble.
Bodily
afflictions and pain were always with her. First it was headaches and toothaches.
Then she lost the ability to walk, her hands and feet gradually becoming so
crippled that her body curled up into a fetal position. In the spirit of
Francis she cried out, "Oh, you bodily members, praise God that he has
given you the capacity to suffer." Despite her sufferings she was filled
with peace and joy as she died on Easter Sunday in 1744.
She was
beatified in 1900 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
Comment:
Although she grew up in poverty and willingly embraced it in her vocation, Crescentia had a good head for business. Under her able administration, her convent regained financial stability. Too often we think of good money management as, at best, a less-than-holy gift. But Crescentia was wise enough to balance her worldly skills with such acumen in spiritual matters that heads of State and Church both sought her advice.
Although she grew up in poverty and willingly embraced it in her vocation, Crescentia had a good head for business. Under her able administration, her convent regained financial stability. Too often we think of good money management as, at best, a less-than-holy gift. But Crescentia was wise enough to balance her worldly skills with such acumen in spiritual matters that heads of State and Church both sought her advice.
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 28,8-15
Lectio:
Monday, April 6, 2015
Easter Time
1) Opening prayer
Our living God,
our heart is glad and rejoices
and we feel secure in our faith
that we have a living person to believe in,Jesus Christ, who is risen from the dead.
Let him show us the path of life,
let us live in the joy of his presence
and give us the grace to make us witnesses,
so that we can proclaim with our whole life
that Jesus is our risen, living Lord
now and for ever.
our heart is glad and rejoices
and we feel secure in our faith
that we have a living person to believe in,Jesus Christ, who is risen from the dead.
Let him show us the path of life,
let us live in the joy of his presence
and give us the grace to make us witnesses,
so that we can proclaim with our whole life
that Jesus is our risen, living Lord
now and for ever.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 28, 8-15
Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from
the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. And suddenly, coming to meet them, was
Jesus. 'Greetings,' he said. And the women came up to him and, clasping his
feet, they did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid; go and
tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; there they will see me.' Now
while they were on their way, some of the guards went off into the city to tell
the chief priests all that had happened. These held a meeting with the elders
and, after some discussion, handed a considerable sum of money to the soldiers
with these instructions, 'This is what you must say, "His disciples came
during the night and stole him away while we were asleep." And should the
governor come to hear of this, we undertake to put things right with him
ourselves and to see that you do not get into trouble.' So they took the money
and carried out their instructions, and to this day that is the story among the
Jews.
3) Reflection
• Easter! Today’s Gospel describes the experience of the
Resurrection which the disciples of Jesus had. At the beginning of his Gospel,
in presenting Jesus, Matthew had said that Jesus is the Emmanuel, God with us
(Mt 1, 23). Now, at the end, he communicates and increases this certainty of
faith, because he proclaims that Jesus is risen (Mt 28, 6) and that he will be
with us always, up to the end of time! (Mt 28, 20). In the contradictions of
life, this truth is questioned, contested very much. Opposition is not lacking.
The enemies, the chief priests of the Jews, defended themselves against the
Good News of the Resurrection and sent word to say that the body had been
stolen by the disciples (Mt 28, 11-13). This also happens today. On the one
side, the effort of many persons to live and to witness to the resurrection. On
the other side, so many evil people who fight against the resurrection and
against life.
• In the Gospel of Matthew, the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus is told through a symbolical language, which reveals the hidden sense of the events. Matthew speaks about the earthquake, of lightening and of the angels who announce the victory of Jesus over death (Mt 2-4). It is an apocalyptic language, very common at that time, to announce that finally the world had been transformed by the power of God! The hope of the poor, who reaffirmed their faith, was fulfilled: “He is alive in our midst!”
• Matthew 28, 8: The joy of the Resurrection overcomes fear. On Sunday morning, the first day of the week, two women went to the tomb, Mary of Magdala and Mary of James, also called the other Mary. All of a sudden the earth trembled and an angel appeared as lightening. The guards who were guarding the tomb were so shaken up with fear that they were like dead men. The women were frightened but the angel encouraged them, announcing the victory of Jesus over death and sending them to go join the disciples of Jesus in Galilee. And in Galilee they would be able to see him again. Everything began there; they received the great revelation of the Risen Lord. The joy of the Resurrection began to overcome fear. Thus the announcement of life and resurrection begins in this way.
• Matthew 28, 9-10: Jesus appears to the women. The women left quickly. In them there is a mixture of fear and of joy. These are sentiments typical of those who have a profound experience of the Mystery of God. Suddenly, Jesus himself went to meet them and said to them: “”Rejoice!” And they fell on their knees and adored him. It is the attitude of the one who believes and accepts the presence of God, even if it surprises and goes beyond the human capacity of understanding. Now, Jesus himself orders them to go and join the brothers in Galilee: “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee and there they will see me”.
• Matthew 28, 11-15: The astuteness or guile of the enemies of the Good News. The opposition itself which Jesus had to face during his life, springs up again now after his Resurrection. The chief priests meet and give money to the guards. They should spread the news that the disciples have robbed the body of Jesus, and this in order to avoid everything which is said about the resurrection. The chief priests do not accept the Good News of the Resurrection. They prefer to believe that it is an invention on the part of the disciples – men and women – of Jesus.
• The significance of the testimony of the women. The presence of the women at the death, at the burial and at the resurrection of Jesus is significant. They are witnesses of the death of Jesus (Mt 27, 54-56). At the moment of the burial, they remain sitting before the tomb and, therefore, they can render witness of the place where Jesus was buried (Mt 27, 61). Now, on Sunday morning, they are there once again. They know that the empty tomb is truly the tomb of Jesus! The profound experience of death and resurrection which they had, transformed their lives. They themselves become qualified witnesses of the Resurrection in the Christian Communities. This is why they receive the order to announce: “Jesus is alive! He has risen from the dead!”
• In the Gospel of Matthew, the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus is told through a symbolical language, which reveals the hidden sense of the events. Matthew speaks about the earthquake, of lightening and of the angels who announce the victory of Jesus over death (Mt 2-4). It is an apocalyptic language, very common at that time, to announce that finally the world had been transformed by the power of God! The hope of the poor, who reaffirmed their faith, was fulfilled: “He is alive in our midst!”
• Matthew 28, 8: The joy of the Resurrection overcomes fear. On Sunday morning, the first day of the week, two women went to the tomb, Mary of Magdala and Mary of James, also called the other Mary. All of a sudden the earth trembled and an angel appeared as lightening. The guards who were guarding the tomb were so shaken up with fear that they were like dead men. The women were frightened but the angel encouraged them, announcing the victory of Jesus over death and sending them to go join the disciples of Jesus in Galilee. And in Galilee they would be able to see him again. Everything began there; they received the great revelation of the Risen Lord. The joy of the Resurrection began to overcome fear. Thus the announcement of life and resurrection begins in this way.
• Matthew 28, 9-10: Jesus appears to the women. The women left quickly. In them there is a mixture of fear and of joy. These are sentiments typical of those who have a profound experience of the Mystery of God. Suddenly, Jesus himself went to meet them and said to them: “”Rejoice!” And they fell on their knees and adored him. It is the attitude of the one who believes and accepts the presence of God, even if it surprises and goes beyond the human capacity of understanding. Now, Jesus himself orders them to go and join the brothers in Galilee: “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee and there they will see me”.
• Matthew 28, 11-15: The astuteness or guile of the enemies of the Good News. The opposition itself which Jesus had to face during his life, springs up again now after his Resurrection. The chief priests meet and give money to the guards. They should spread the news that the disciples have robbed the body of Jesus, and this in order to avoid everything which is said about the resurrection. The chief priests do not accept the Good News of the Resurrection. They prefer to believe that it is an invention on the part of the disciples – men and women – of Jesus.
• The significance of the testimony of the women. The presence of the women at the death, at the burial and at the resurrection of Jesus is significant. They are witnesses of the death of Jesus (Mt 27, 54-56). At the moment of the burial, they remain sitting before the tomb and, therefore, they can render witness of the place where Jesus was buried (Mt 27, 61). Now, on Sunday morning, they are there once again. They know that the empty tomb is truly the tomb of Jesus! The profound experience of death and resurrection which they had, transformed their lives. They themselves become qualified witnesses of the Resurrection in the Christian Communities. This is why they receive the order to announce: “Jesus is alive! He has risen from the dead!”
4) Personal questions
• Which is the experience of resurrection that I have in my
life? Is there in me some force which tries to oppose the experience of the
resurrection? How do I react?
• Today, which is the mission of our community, of us, disciples of Jesus? From where can we draw force and strength and courage to fulfil our mission?
• Today, which is the mission of our community, of us, disciples of Jesus? From where can we draw force and strength and courage to fulfil our mission?
5) Concluding Prayer
I bless Yahweh who is my counsellor,
even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep Yahweh before me always,
for with him at my right hand,
nothing can shake me. (Ps 16,7-8)
even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep Yahweh before me always,
for with him at my right hand,
nothing can shake me. (Ps 16,7-8)
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