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.
We
live in the joy and hope of the resurrection to new life with Chrisrt
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).
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."
A
Daily Quote for Easter season: The Easter Alleluia, by Augustine
of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Our
thoughts in this present life should turn on the praise of God, because it is
in praising God that we shall rejoice for ever in the life to come; and no one
can be ready for the next life unless he trains himself for it now. So we
praise God during our earthly life, and at the same time we make our petitions
to him. Our praise is expressed with joy, our petitions with yearning. We have
been promised something we do not yet possess, and because the promise was made
by one who keeps his word, we trust him and are glad; but insofar as possession
is delayed, we can only long and yearn for it. It is good for us to persevere
in longing until we receive what was promised, and yearning is over; then
praise alone will remain." (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148, 1-2)
MONDAY, APRIL 22, MATTHEW 28:8-15
Monday within the Octave of Easter
(Acts 2:14, 22-33; Psalm 16)
Monday within the Octave of Easter
(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 KNOW: 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 the men had fled Jerusalem after Jesus' arrest (Matt 26:56); therefore they could not be guilty of stealing his body. The women were the only eye-witnesses of the empty tomb. 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 LOVE: Have I shared the good news of the Resurrection with someone who needs to hear it?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, help me to overcome my fears as I proclaim your gospel.
EARTH DAY
is observed each year by the United
Nations and by people around the world acting as responsible trustees of the
earth. All individuals and institutions have a mutual responsibility to act as
guardians of the earth, seeking the choices in ecology, economics and ethics that
will eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, foster peaceful progress,
awaken the wonder of life, and realize the best potential for the future of
humanity.
NOTE: Laudato si' (English: Praise Be to You) is the second encyclical of Pope Francis, subtitled "on care for our common home." The pope critiques consumerism and irresponsible development, laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take "swift and unified global action." The Pope said: "I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all."
NOTE: Laudato si' (English: Praise Be to You) is the second encyclical of Pope Francis, subtitled "on care for our common home." The pope critiques consumerism and irresponsible development, laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take "swift and unified global action." The Pope said: "I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all."
Monday 22 April 2019
EASTER MONDAY.
Acts 2:14, 22-33. Psalm 15(16):1-2, 5, 7-11. Matthew 28:8-15.
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope – Psalm 15(16):1-2, 5,
7-11.
‘Falling down before him they clasped his feet.’
Matthew describes an encounter with the risen Lord on the first
Easter morning. Typically, with sensitivity and affection, the women came to
tend the body of the Lord. These women had been faithful disciples of Jesus.
They had seen him die on the cross. Now they come to the tomb and find it
empty. And, turning around, ‘there coming to meet them was Jesus’.
We may pause and then hear the words, ‘Do not be afraid; go tell
my brothers to go to Galilee; they will see me there.’ He will meet them at
home, in familiar surroundings. That’s also where we meet Jesus, at home, at
work, out shopping or in silent prayer.
May we place our confidence and trust in the Lord. Let us be
bearers of good news with our attentive care for each person we meet. In them
we meet the Lord.
Saint Adalbert of Prague
Saint of the Day for April 22
(956 – April 23, 997)
 |
| Statue of Saint Adalbert of Prague near Church of the Visitation of Our Lady in Hluboké Mašůvky, Znojmo District | photo by Jiří Sedláček |
Saint Adalbert of Prague’s Story
Opposition to the Good News of Jesus did not discourage
Adalbert, who is now remembered with great honor in the Czech Republic, Poland,
Hungary, and Germany.
Born to a noble family in Bohemia, he received part of his
education from Saint Adalbert of Magdeburg. At the age of 27, he was
chosen as bishop of Prague. Those who resisted his program of clerical reform
forced him into exile eight years later.
In time, the people of Prague requested his return as their
bishop. Within a short time, however, he was exiled again after excommunicating
those who violated the right of sanctuary by dragging a woman accused of
adultery from a church and murdering her.
After a short ministry in Hungary, he went to preach the Good
News to people living near the Baltic Sea. He and two companions were martyred
by pagan priests in that region. Adalbert’s body was immediately ransomed and
buried in the Gniezno, Poland, cathedral. In the mid-11th century his relics
were moved to Saint Vitus Cathedral in Prague. His Liturgical Feast
day is April 23.
Reflection
Preaching the Good News can be dangerous work whether the
audience is already baptized or not. Adalbert fearlessly preached Jesus’ gospel
and received a martyr’s crown for his efforts. Similar zeal has created modern
martyrs in many places, especially in Central and South America. Some of those
martyrs grew up in areas once evangelized by Adalbert.
Lectio
Divina: Matthew 28:8-15
Lectio Divina
Monday, April 22, 2019
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
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.
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, until the end of time! (Mt 28:20). In the contradictions of
life, this truth is questioned and 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 people 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 in symbolic language, which reveals the hidden sense of the events. Matthew speaks about the earthquake, of lightning 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 lightning. 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. 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 to understand. 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.
• In the Gospel of Matthew, the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus is told in symbolic language, which reveals the hidden sense of the events. Matthew speaks about the earthquake, of lightning 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 lightning. 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. 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 to understand. 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 to 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
• How do I experience the Resurrection in my life today?
• Does the Resurrection transform me in any way?
• Today, what is the mission of our community as disciples of Jesus? Through what in the Resurrection can we draw force and strength and courage to fulfill our mission?
• Does the Resurrection transform me in any way?
• Today, what is the mission of our community as disciples of Jesus? Through what in the Resurrection can we draw force and strength and courage to fulfill our mission?
5) Concluding Prayer
I bless Yahweh, who is my counselor,
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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