Easter Sunday (Cycle C, Year II)
Community Word: Jesus’ sacrificial love is our redemption and the way to a renewed life.
Theme: We are redeemed towards a new life when we rejoice in Christ’s resurrection.
Promise: “When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with Him in glory.” (Col 3:4)
Reflection:
Christ is risen! Alleluia! This is a joyful declaration by all of us Christians, believers and followers of Jesus, as we celebrate this glorious Easter, a day that the Lord has made.
The resurrection of Jesus has become our inspiration to start a renewed faith journey to a life that is totally renewed and transformed in Christ. It is a life filled with new hope. It is a new beginning manifested by the joy, peace and love of Jesus in our lives. As we rejoice in His resurrection, our life should radiate the Risen Lord to others and witness to His goodness and love throughout the earth.
With an overwhelming grief that her Master died a horrible death on the cross, Mary of Magdala was deeply distraught to discover that Jesus’ body was no longer in the tomb. “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him,” (Jn 20:2b). For even just seeing His body once again to anoint Him with oil would bring consolation to her heart. Jesus was her Master having received from Him grace, mercy and forgiveness, and she loved Him. Later, it was her who first saw the resurrected Jesus and she became the first person to witness that Jesus rose from the dead. She announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” (Jn 20:18). John’s experience was different. Even with just seeing the empty tomb and the burial clothes, he was able to recall what the Lord told them about His death and resurrection…”he saw and believed,” (Jn 20:8b).
Jesus is no longer with the dead, but with the living. The empty tomb is a sign of His resurrection; Jesus has conquered death. As His followers, we are to believe in His resurrection, casting away the “false news” and deception fabricated by the elders that disciples stole his body (cf Mt 28:11-15). St. Paul exhorts us in his letter to the Colossians, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God,” (Col 3:1). The disciples who were witnesses to that early morning glorious phenomenon proclaimed the Good News about Jesus Christ. In Acts 10:34a, 37-43, Peter boldly spoke about Jesus: “We are witnesses of all he did,” that, “This man God raised on the third day…” The disciples became witnesses through their changed lives. Their preaching and teaching were backed by their conversion and their faith.
As Easter people, we are invited to stand firm with Jesus and defend Him. Our world is full of confusion, lies, deception, manipulation and injustice, filled with anger, self-gratification and other negativities, polluting the minds of God’s people. We are called to witness to the Risen Christ, to live a life of hope, commitment and fidelity to God and service to our neighbors. Let us do our share in making the resurrection of Jesus a victory in the lives of His people, especially the oppressed, less informed and marginalized brethren.
As people redeemed by the blood of Christ and raised with Him in His resurrection, let us persevere in our renewed life and “think of what is above, not what is on earth,” (Col 3:2). For with Christ who is seated at the right hand of God, we will merit this promise: “When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with Him in glory,” (Col 3:1-4).
Prayer:
O dear Jesus, our loving Savior, because of Your resurrection we find hope and meaning in our life in these times of uncertainty. Thank You for cleansing us of our sins by Your blood and Your sacrifice on the cross. We feel Your marvelous love and we see a bright light shining because You won the battle for us. Help us to walk like Mary, Peter and John from the darkness of grief and doubt, to the morning of joy and hope, and lead us always to the path of righteousness. Father, thank You for Jesus. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- How do you apply the Easter message of hope to rise above life’s challenges and negativities?
- What “old things” in your life have not yet been renewed by our Risen Christ?
Guide questions for Philippine voters:
- Called to seek and know the truth, do you pray and discern God’s will in choosing our leaders?
- As Christ’s followers, what intervention can you make to help voters choose the candidates who are Christ-centered in character and in their programs?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
April 17, 2022 (Sun) – Acts 10:34, 37-43/Ps 118:1, 2, 16, 17, 22, 23/Col 3:1-4/Jn 20:1-9
April 18, 2022 (Mon) – Acts 2:14, 22-33/Ps 16:1, 2, 7-11/Mt 28:8-15
April 19, 2022 (Tue) – Acts 2:36-41/Ps 33:4, 5, 18,-20, 22/Jn 20:11-18
April 20, 2022 (Wed) – Acts 3:1-10/Ps 105:1-4, 6-9/Lk 24:13-35
April 21, 2022 (Thu) – Acts 3:11-26/Ps 8:2, 5, 6-9/Lk 24:35-48
April 22, 2022 (Fri) – Acts 4:1-12/Ps 118:1, 2, 4, 22-25, 27/Jn 21:1-14
April 23, 2022 (Sat) – Acts 4:13-21/Ps 118:14-21/Mk 16:9-15
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
