The glory of God that has now been revealed through the vindication of Jesus risen from the dead.
"If Christ has not been raised, then empty is our preaching; empty, too, is your faith."
                                                                                                 (1 Corinthians 15:14)

As part of Christ's rising from the dead, he shed his old burial clothes like the snake that shed its skin, both becoming bright and vibrant.
Easter invites us to put on vibrant new garments — essentially, to "put on Christ."

 

1st Reading: Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Peter then spoke to them,

"No doubt you have heard of the event that occurred throughout the whole country of the Jews, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism John preached. You know how God anointed Jesus, the Nazorean with the Holy Spirit, and power. He went about doing good, and healing all who were under the devil's power, because God was with him; we are witnesses of all that he did throughout the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem itself. Yet, they put him to death, by hanging him on a wooden cross.

 

But God raised him to life on the third day, and let him manifest himself, not to all the people, but to the witnesses that were chosen beforehand by God-to us, who ate and drank with him after his resurrection from death. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to bear witness, that he is the one appointed by God, to judge the living and the dead. All the prophets say of him, that everyone who believes in him has forgiveness of sins, through his name."

 

 Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

 

2nd Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 (or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8)

So then, if you are risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on earthly things. For you have died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, reveals himself, you also will be revealed with him in glory.

 

Gospel: John 20:1-9 (or Matthew 28:1-10) ( or Luke 24:13-35)

Now, on the first day after the Sabbath, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark, and she saw that the stone blocking the tomb had been moved away. She ran to Peter, and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don't know where they have laid him."

 

Peter then set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down and saw the linen cloths lying flat, but he did not enter.

 

Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered the tomb; he, too, saw the linen cloths lying flat. The napkin, which had been around his head, was not lying flat like the other linen cloths, but lay rolled up in its place. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed. Scripture clearly said that Jesus must rise from the dead, but they had not yet understood that.

 

Reflection:

"Scripture clearly said that Jesus must rise from the dead..."

Lectio Divina

 READ: Mary Magdalene went early to the tomb on the first day after the Sabbath. She saw that the stone covering the tomb had already been moved away. She ran to Peter and to the Beloved Disciple, telling them of what she saw. Peter and the Beloved Disciple ran to the tomb. The latter outran the former.

 

The Beloved Disciple did not enter the tomb but bending down he saw the linen cloths lying flat. Peter entered the tomb and saw that the napkin that had been around the head was not lying flat unlike the other linen cloths. The Beloved Disciple also entered, saw and believed. The Scripture stated with clarity that Jesus must rise from the dead. However, they still did not understand it yet.

 

REFLECT: Today, we celebrate Easter. We are Easter people. We may reflect that the first Easter happened on the first day after the Sabbath, implying a beginning of a great new day. Jesus' resurrection conveys that there is always a possibility to begin again.

 

Whatever happened to us in the past, if we open ourselves to the power of Christ's resurrection, we become new creatures. This day reminds us of that amazing grace won for us by Christ when he rose from the dead. We can begin again with a life renewed.

 

PRAY: Let us pray for Easter inspiration to truly start our life anew.

 

ACT: Let us take a more positive disposition in life from this day onwards.