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.
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:
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.
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.”
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
Psalm16:1-2A 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.”
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.
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 13, 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. Women were the only eye-witnesses of the empty tomb. When they 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.
Monday 13 April 2020
Acts 2:14, 22-23. Keep me safe, O God; you are my
hope – Psalm 15(16):1-2, 5, 7-11. Matthew 28:8-15.
The evangelists are imbued with the Holy Spirit
In today’s Gospel Jesus comes to Mary of Magdalene and the other
Mary and asks them to tell the disciples that he will see them in Galilee. They
are the first evangelists of Jesus’ rise from the dead. Politically this is not
a desirable message, so guards are bribed to tell a different story. How
familiar that sounds in today’s world of partisan politics and media, where
truth is often hidden by conflicting stories and values. Chronologically, the
first reading occurs six weeks after the Gospel when Peter stands up and
addresses the crowd bearing brave witness to the resurrected Christ. The Holy
Spirit has imbued him with the strength to speak the truth. I pray for the
strength to always speak the truth of God’s love and saving power.
Saint Martin I
Saint of the Day for April 13
(d. September 16, 655)
 |
| Statua di S. Martino Papa nel tempio di Santa Maria della Consolazione, Roma | photo by Daniel Aldrighetti |
Saint Martin I’s Story
When Martin I became pope in 649, Constantinople was the capital
of the Byzantine empire and the patriarch of Constantinople was the most
influential Church leader in the eastern Christian world. The struggles that
existed within the Church at that time were magnified by the close cooperation
of emperor and patriarch.
A teaching, strongly supported in the East, held that Christ had
no human will. Twice, emperors had officially favored this position: Heraclius
by publishing a formula of faith, and Constans II by silencing the issue of one
or two wills in Christ.
Shortly after assuming the office of the papacy—which he did
without first being confirmed by the emperor—Martin held a council at the
Lateran in which the imperial documents were censured, and in which the
patriarch of Constantinople and two of his predecessors were condemned. In
response, Constans II first tried to turn bishops and people against the pope.
Failing in this and in an attempt to kill the pope, the emperor
sent troops to Rome to seize Martin and to bring him back to Constantinople.
Already in poor health, Martin offered no resistance, returned with Calliopas,
the exarch of Constantinople, and was then submitted to various imprisonments,
tortures, and hardships. Although condemned to death and with some of the
imposed torture already carried out, Martin was saved from execution by the
pleas of a repentant Paul, patriarch of Constantinople, who was himself gravely
ill.
Tortures and cruel treatment having taken their toll, Martin
died shortly thereafter. He is the last of the early popes to be venerated as a
martyr.
Reflection
The real significance of the word martyr comes
not from the dying but from the witnessing, which the word means in its
derivation. People who are willing to give up everything, their most precious
possessions, their very lives, put a supreme value on the cause or belief for
which they sacrifice. Martyrdom, dying for the faith, is an incidental extreme
to which some have had to go to manifest their belief in Christ. A living
faith, a life that exemplifies Christ’s teaching throughout, and that in spite
of difficulties, is required of all Christians. Martin refused to cut corners
as a way of easing his lot, to make some accommodations with the civil rulers.
Lectio
Divina: Matthew 28:8-15
Lectio Divina
Monday, April 13, 2020
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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