Jesus Walks On Water

APRIL 30, 2022, SATURDAY

Saturday of the Second Week of Easter (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 272

Reading I

Acts 6:1-7

As the number of disciples continued to grow,

the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews

because their widows

were being neglected in the daily distribution.

So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said,

“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.

Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,

filled with the Spirit and wisdom,

whom we shall appoint to this task,

whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer

and to the ministry of the word.”

The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,

so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,

also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,

and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

They presented these men to the Apostles

who prayed and laid hands on them.

The word of God continued to spread,

and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;

even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Responsorial Psalm

33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

R.        (22)  Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Exult, you just, in the LORD;

            praise from the upright is fitting.

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;

            with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.

R.        Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Upright is the word of the LORD,

            and all his works are trustworthy.

He loves justice and right;

            of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R.        Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,

            upon those who hope for his kindness,

To deliver them from death

            and preserve them in spite of famine.

R.        Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Christ is risen, who made all things;

he has shown mercy on all people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 6:16-21

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea,

embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum.

It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.

The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.

When they had rowed about three or four miles,

they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat,

and they began to be afraid.

But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

They wanted to take him into the boat,

but the boat immediately arrived at the shore

to which they were heading.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: 

“It is I; do not be afraid.” These words of Jesus about fear can be a mantra or a chorus of our lives. In all the different anxieties, they are spoken to us. The disciples heard them and remembered them on many occasions. These words, ‘It is I, do not be afraid' are words which Jesus is speaking to each of us, all of the time.

PRAYER:

Lord, I am written in your heart. Even when I forget you in my struggle to survive, you do not forget me.

The Multiplication Of Loaves

APRIL 29, 2022, FRIDAY

MEMORIAL OF SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 271

Reading I

Acts 5:34-42

A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel,

a teacher of the law, respected by all the people,

stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,

and said to the Sanhedrin, “Fellow children of Israel,

be careful what you are about to do to these men.

Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important,

and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed,

and all those who were loyal to him

were disbanded and came to nothing.

After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census.

He also drew people after him,

but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.

So now I tell you,

have nothing to do with these men, and let them go.

For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin,

it will destroy itself.

But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them;

you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

They were persuaded by him.

After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged,

ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus,

and dismissed them.

So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,

rejoicing that they had been found worthy

to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes,

they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm

27:1, 4, 13-14

R.        (see 4abc)  One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

            whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life’s refuge;

            of whom should I be afraid?

R.        One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

One thing I ask of the LORD

            this I seek:

To dwell in the house of the LORD

            all the days of my life,

That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD

            and contemplate his temple.

R.        One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD

            in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD with courage;

            be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

R.        One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Mt 4:4b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

One does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.

A large crowd followed him,

because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.

Jesus went up on the mountain,

and there he sat down with his disciples.

The Jewish feast of Passover was near.

When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,

he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”

He said this to test him,

because he himself knew what he was going to do.

Philip answered him,

“Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough

for each of them to have a little.”

One of his disciples,

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;

but what good are these for so many?”

Jesus said, “Have the people recline.”

Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.

So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,

and distributed them to those who were reclining,

and also as much of the fish as they wanted.

When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,

“Gather the fragments left over,

so that nothing will be wasted.”

So they collected them,

and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments

from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.

When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,

“This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.”

Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off

to make him king,

he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

In today’s Gospel Jesus performs the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. It is, of course, a symbol of the Eucharist; there are deliberate signals that this is so. This incident is memorable, but it pales in significance when compared to the wonder of the Eucharist. Try to devote some time to seeing the occasion, speaking to the participants and drawing fruit for yourself and your life.

PRAYER:

Lord, the hunger of the world screams for my attention. But what can I do? Give me a willingness to go beyond myself, to share my little resources towards building a community where people love and care for one another.

The One From Heaven

APRIL 28, 2022, THURSDAY

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 270

Reading I

Acts 5:27-33

When the court officers had brought the Apostles in

and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,

the high priest questioned them,

“We gave you strict orders did we not,

to stop teaching in that name.

Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching

and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,

“We must obey God rather than men.

The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,

though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.

God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior

to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.

We are witnesses of these things,

as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

When they heard this,

they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

Responsorial Psalm

34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20

R.        (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

I will bless the LORD at all times;

            his praise shall be ever in my mouth.

Taste and see how good the LORD is;

            blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

R.        The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

The LORD confronts the evildoers,

            to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.

When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,

            and from all their distress he rescues them.

R.        The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;

            and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

Many are the troubles of the just man,

            but out of them all the LORD delivers him.

R.        The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Jn 20:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;

blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all.

The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.

But the one who comes from heaven is above all.

He testifies to what he has seen and heard,

but no one accepts his testimony.

Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.

For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.

He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.

The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,

but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,

but the wrath of God remains upon him.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

“God gives him(Jesus) the Spirit without reserve.”(Jn 3:34) If we want to know what a human person might look like if everything they did was done under the influence of the Spirit, we only have to look at Jesus in all his relationships: his obedience to his Father as a young man in the temple, living under the authority of his parents in Nazareth, his openness to the unpopular tax collector, Zachaeus, his forgiveness of the good thief on the cross.

In every generation down to our own, men and women have prayed to the Spirit for guidance, for inspiration, for the strength to follow the Lord. “Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on us.... Come O Creator Spirit come....”How the Lord longs that we receive the Spirit. “If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Lk 11:13) Ask the Lord today for the gift of his Holy Spirit!

PRAYER:

Lord, you alone can satisfy the longing of my heart. Confirm my personal faith and commitment to you. May the example of my life invite others to believe in you.

God Sent His Son

APRIL 27, 2022, WEDNESDAY

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 269

Reading I

Acts 5:17-26

The high priest rose up and all his companions,

that is, the party of the Sadducees,

and, filled with jealousy,

laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail.

But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,

led them out, and said,

“Go and take your place in the temple area,

and tell the people everything about this life.”

When they heard this,

they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.

When the high priest and his companions arrived,

they convened the Sanhedrin,

the full senate of the children of Israel,

and sent to the jail to have them brought in.

But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison,

so they came back and reported,

“We found the jail securely locked

and the guards stationed outside the doors,

but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”

When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report,

they were at a loss about them,

as to what this would come to.

Then someone came in and reported to them,

“The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area

and are teaching the people.”

Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them,

but without force,

because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

Responsorial Psalm

34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R.        (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

I will bless the LORD at all times;

            his praise shall be ever in my mouth.

Let my soul glory in the LORD;

            the lowly will hear me and be glad.

R.        The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Glorify the LORD with me,

            let us together extol his name.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me

            and delivered me from all my fears.

R.        The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,

            and your faces may not blush with shame.

When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,

            and from all his distress he saved him.

R.        The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

The angel of the LORD encamps

            around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Taste and see how good the LORD is;

            blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

R.        The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Jn 3:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

God so love the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,

so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 3:16-21

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,

so that everyone who believes in him might not perish

but might have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,

but that the world might be saved through him.

Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,

but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,

because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

And this is the verdict,

that the light came into the world,

but people preferred darkness to light,

because their works were evil.

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light

and does not come toward the light,

so that his works might not be exposed.

But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,

so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

God loves the world, loves each one of us, loves me. This is the whole message of Jesus, expressed in his words and embodied, directly or indirectly, in the whole of his life. Am I convinced of this myself?

PRAYER:

Considering how God so loves the world, I pray for God's creation, for all God's people; listening to Jesus, may we may be brought to life.

Born of the Spirit

APRIL 26, 2022, TUESDAY

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 268

Reading I

Acts 4:32-37

The community of believers was of one heart and mind,

and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,

but they had everything in common.

With great power the Apostles bore witness

to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,

and great favor was accorded them all.

There was no needy person among them,

for those who owned property or houses would sell them,

bring the proceeds of the sale,

and put them at the feet of the Apostles,

and they were distributed to each according to need.

Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas

(which is translated Ason of encouragement”),

a Levite, a Cypriot by birth,

sold a piece of property that he owned,

then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.

Responsorial Psalm

93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5

R.        (1a)  The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

The LORD is king, in splendor robed;

            robed is the LORD and girt about 

with strength.

R.        The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

And he has made the world firm,

            not to be moved.

Your throne stands firm from of old;

            from everlasting you are, O LORD.

R.        The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed:

            holiness befits your house,

            O LORD, for length of days.

R.        The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Jn 3:14-15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Son of Man must be lifted up,

so that everyone who believes in him

may have eternal life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 3:7b-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus:

“‘You must be born from above.’

The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes,

but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;

so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus answered and said to him,

‘How can this happen?”

Jesus answered and said to him,

“You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?

Amen, amen, I say to you,

we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen,

but you people do not accept our testimony.

If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe,

how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

No one has gone up to heaven

except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,

so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION: 

Nicodemus went to Jesus in the darkness, protecting his reputation, careful of his standing. Jesus acknowledged his caution and disbelief yet spoke to him of truth. Jesus knows what holds me back but awaits an opportunity to speak in my language.

PRAYER: 

Lord, help me to change, to leave behind previous certainties that stifled the activity of your Holy Spirit in me. Grace me with a disciple’s ear. Let me be born again to a new way of being and a new mode of living. May I move more sensitively each day guided by the gentle wind of your Spirit.

Accompanying Signs

APRIL 25, 2022, MONDAY

FEAST OF SAINT MARK, EVANGELIST (Red)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 555

Reading I

1 Pt 5:5b-14

Beloved:         

Clothe yourselves with humility

in your dealings with one another, for:

            God opposes the proud

                        but bestows favor on the humble.

So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time.

Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

Be sober and vigilant.

Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion

looking for someone to devour.

Resist him, steadfast in faith,

knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world

undergo the same sufferings.

The God of all grace

who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus

will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you

after you have suffered a little.

To him be dominion forever.  Amen.

I write you this briefly through Silvanus,

whom I consider a faithful brother,

exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God.

Remain firm in it.

The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son.

Greet one another with a loving kiss.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Responsorial Psalm

89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17

R.        (2)  For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;

            through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.

For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;

            in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

R.        For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

The heavens proclaim your wonders, O LORD,

            and your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones.

For who in the skies can rank with the LORD?

            Who is like the LORD among the sons of God?

R.        For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;

            in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.

At your name they rejoice all the day,

            and through your justice they are exalted.

R.        For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

1 Cor 1:23a-24b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

We proclaim Christ crucified;

he is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 16:15-20

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:

“Go into the whole world

and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;

whoever does not believe will be condemned.

These signs will accompany those who believe:

in my name they will drive out demons,

they will speak new languages.

They will pick up serpents with their hands,

and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.

They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,

was taken up into heaven

and took his seat at the right hand of God.

But they went forth and preached everywhere,

while the Lord worked with them

and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Each of us is called into the ministry of Jesus in some way. We are called to be 'other Christs', to be people who wish to make known and spread the love of God and his care for his people in the world. We may never know how much we have done this; it is sufficient that we do what we can. God has some work to do that can be done only through each person. In a time of prayer we ask that we use our gifts and talents as best we can in God's service.

PRAYER:

Lord, send me out each day, to witness to you by my actions. I am to minister to you in the sick, the poor, the hungry, the displaced and the imprisoned of our world.

Doubting Thomas (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY - C)

APRIL 24, 2022, SUNDAY
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY(White)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 45

Reading I
Acts 5:12-16

Many signs and wonders were done among the people

at the hands of the apostles.

They were all together in Solomon’s portico.

None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them.

Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord,

great numbers of men and women, were added to them.

Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets

and laid them on cots and mats

so that when Peter came by,

at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them.

A large number of people from the towns

in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered,

bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits,

and they were all cured.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

R  (1) Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.

or:

R  Alleluia.

Let the house of Israel say,

            “His mercy endures forever.”

Let the house of Aaron say,

            “His mercy endures forever.”

Let those who fear the LORD say,

            “His mercy endures forever.”

R  Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.

or:

R  Alleluia.

I was hard pressed and was falling,

            but the LORD helped me.

My strength and my courage is the LORD,

            and he has been my savior.

The joyful shout of victory

            in the tents of the just:

R  Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.

or:

R  Alleluia.

The stone which the builders rejected

            has become the cornerstone.

By the LORD has this been done;

            it is wonderful in our eyes.

This is the day the LORD has made;

            let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R  Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.

or:

R  Alleluia.

Reading II
Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19

I, John, your brother, who share with you

the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus,

found myself on the island called Patmos

because I proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony to Jesus.

I was caught up in spirit on the Lord’s day

and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, which said,

“Write on a scroll what you see.”

Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me,

and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands

and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man,

wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest.

When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead.

He touched me with his right hand and said, “Do not be afraid.

I am the first and the last, the one who lives.

Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever.

I hold the keys to death and the netherworld.

Write down, therefore, what you have seen,

and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.”

Alleluia
Jn 20:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;

blessed are those who have not seen me, but still believe!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week,

when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,

for fear of the Jews,

Jesus came and stood in their midst

and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,

“Receive the Holy Spirit.

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,

and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,

was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

But he said to them,

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands

and put my finger into the nailmarks

and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside

and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked,

and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,

and bring your hand and put it into my side,

and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples

that are not written in this book.

But these are written that you may come to believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Thomas places his hands in the wounds of Jesus, and the experience draws from him the first, ringing affirmation of Christ’s divinity: “My Lord and my God!” Fully human, and fully divine. Eternally human, eternally divine. His human nature is glorified, just as His divinity is humanized. Our human nature will be forever in Him; His divinity dwells within us, and will remain with us even to the consummation of the world.

PRAYER:

I let Jesus whisper to me, ‘You will be blessed if you decide to believe!’ To believe in him is to give my heart to him, not just my head. It is not too demanding to do this, because he has already given his heart to me.

Go Into The Whole World (EASTER SATURDAY - C)

APRIL 23, 2022, SATURDAY

Saturday in the Octave of Easter (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 266

Reading I

Acts 4:13-21

Observing the boldness of Peter and John

and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men,

the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed,

and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus.

Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them,

they could say nothing in reply.

So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin,

and conferred with one another, saying,

“What are we to do with these men?

Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign

was done through them, and we cannot deny it.

But so that it may not be spread any further among the people,

let us give them a stern warning

never again to speak to anyone in this name.”

So they called them back

and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

Peter and John, however, said to them in reply,

“Whether it is right in the sight of God

for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges.

It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”

After threatening them further,

they released them,

finding no way to punish them,

on account of the people who were all praising God

for what had happened.

Responsorial Psalm

118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21

R.        (21a) I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

            for his mercy endures forever.

My strength and my courage is the LORD,

            and he has been my savior.

The joyful shout of victory

            in the tents of the just.

R.        I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

“The right hand of the LORD is exalted;

            the right hand of the LORD has struck with power.”

I shall not die, but live,

            and declare the works of the LORD.

Though the LORD has indeed chastised me,

            yet he has not delivered me to death.

R.        I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Open to me the gates of justice;

            I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.

This is the gate of the LORD;

            the just shall enter it.

I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me

            and have been my savior.

R.        I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Ps 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel

Mk 16:9-15

When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week,

he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,

out of whom he had driven seven demons.

She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.

When they heard that he was alive

and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

After this he appeared in another form

to two of them walking along on their way to the country.

They returned and told the others;

but they did not believe them either.

But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them

and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart

because they had not believed those

who saw him after he had been raised.

He said to them, “Go into the whole world

and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Today’s scripture is the appendix to the Gospel of Saint Mark. It gives us an opportunity to review our experience of Easter week and to ask ourselves about the impact the week has had on us. What extent we have been able to rejoice with that unselfish joy with Christ who has risen?

PRAYER:

Jesus, before I ever go searching for you, you already search for me. But do I recognise you and do I respond? Help me to practise what I believe, to live in the liberating truth that you are indeed risen!

Jesus And The Miraculous Catch Of Fish (EASTER FRIDAY - C)

APRIL 22, 2022, FRIDAY

Friday in the Octave of Easter (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 265

Reading I

Acts 4:1-12

After the crippled man had been cured,

while Peter and John were still speaking to the people,

the priests, the captain of the temple guard,

and the Sadducees confronted them,

disturbed that they were teaching the people

and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

They laid hands on Peter and John

and put them in custody until the next day,

since it was already evening.

But many of those who heard the word came to believe

and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes

were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest,

Caiaphas, John, Alexander,

and all who were of the high-priestly class.

They brought them into their presence and questioned them,

“By what power or by what name have you done this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them,

“Leaders of the people and elders:

If we are being examined today

about a good deed done to a cripple,

namely, by what means he was saved,

then all of you and all the people of Israel should know

that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean

whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;

in his name this man stands before you healed.

He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,

which has become the cornerstone.

There is no salvation through anyone else,

nor is there any other name under heaven

given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”

 

Responsorial Psalm

118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a

R.        (22)  The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

            for his mercy endures forever.

Let the house of Israel say,

            “His mercy endures forever.”

Let those who fear the LORD say,

            “His mercy endures forever.”

R.        The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

The stone which the builders rejected

            has become the cornerstone.

By the LORD has this been done;

            it is wonderful in our eyes.

This is the day the LORD has made;

            let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R.        The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

O LORD, grant salvation!

            O LORD, grant prosperity!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;

            we bless you from the house of the LORD.

            The LORD is God, and he has given us light.

R.        The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Ps 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 21:1-14

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.

He revealed himself in this way.

Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,

Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,

Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We also will come with you.”

So they went out and got into the boat,

but that night they caught nothing.

When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;

but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”

They answered him, “No.”

So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat

and you will find something.”

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in

because of the number of fish.

So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,

he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,

and jumped into the sea.

The other disciples came in the boat,

for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,

dragging the net with the fish.

When they climbed out on shore,

they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”

So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore

full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.

Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”

And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”

because they realized it was the Lord.

Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,

and in like manner the fish.

This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples

after being raised from the dead.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

‘Come and have breakfast’ How simply and sensitively Jesus deals with us! He knows our needs and our hunger. He knows too that we can only manage the revelations of the divine in small portions. I could do well before my daily breakfast to listen to the Lord speaking my name and saying ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Imagine him serving me, if not with bread and fish, perhaps with a muffin and coffee! I begin to notice that through the day he continues to serve me what I need.

How does Peter feel in this scene? Somewhere in the back of his mind he sensed where that catch of fish had come from. Surely now his heart breaks open in repentant love when he is treated so kindly by the person he had betrayed? Am I open to God’s kindly care which picks me gently up when I have fallen?

PRAYER:

Jesus, you meet me at the water’s edge of my ordinary life. You accept me lovingly, you encourage me, you invite me to abundance. Nourished by the food of your word, warmed by the fire of your unfailing love, may I in turn nourish, heal and love those I meet today.

Jesus Appears To His Disciples (EASTER THURSDAY - C)

APRIL 21, 2022, THURSDAY

Thursday in the Octave of Easter (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 264

Reading I

Acts 3:11-26

As the crippled man who had been cured clung to Peter and John,

all the people hurried in amazement toward them

in the portico called “Solomon’s Portico.”

When Peter saw this, he addressed the people,

“You children of Israel, why are you amazed at this,

and why do you look so intently at us

as if we had made him walk by our own power or piety?

The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,

the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus

whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence,

when he had decided to release him.

You denied the Holy and Righteous One

and asked that a murderer be released to you.

The author of life you put to death,

but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.

And by faith in his name,

this man, whom you see and know, his name has made strong,

and the faith that comes through it

has given him this perfect health,

in the presence of all of you.

Now I know, brothers and sisters,

that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did;

but God has thus brought to fulfillment

what he had announced beforehand

through the mouth of all the prophets,

that his Christ would suffer.

Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away,

and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment

and send you the Christ already appointed for you, Jesus,

whom heaven must receive until the times of universal restoration

of which God spoke through the mouth

of his holy prophets from of old.

For Moses said:

            A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you

                        from among your own kin;

            to him you shall listen in all that he may say to you.

            Everyone who does not listen to that prophet

                        will be cut off from the people.          

“Moreover, all the prophets who spoke,

from Samuel and those afterwards, also announced these days.

You are the children of the prophets

and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors

when he said to Abraham,

In your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

For you first, God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you

by turning each of you from your evil ways.”

Responsorial Psalm

8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9

R.        (2ab)  O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

or:

R.        Alleluia.

O LORD, our Lord,

            how glorious is your name over all the earth!

What is man that you should be mindful of him,

            or the son of man that you should care for him?

R.        O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

or:

R.        Alleluia.

You have made him little less than the angels,

            and crowned him with glory and honor.

You have given him rule over the works of your hands,

            putting all things under his feet.

R.        O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

or:

R.        Alleluia.

All sheep and oxen,

            yes, and the beasts of the field,

The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,

            and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

R.        O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Ps 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 24:35-48

The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way,

and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread.

While they were still speaking about this,

he stood in their midst and said to them,

“Peace be with you.”

But they were startled and terrified

and thought that they were seeing a ghost.

Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled?

And why do questions arise in your hearts?

Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.

Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones

as you can see I have.”

And as he said this,

he showed them his hands and his feet.

While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed,

he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?”

They gave him a piece of baked fish;

he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them,

“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,

that everything written about me in the law of Moses

and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

And he said to them,

“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer

and rise from the dead on the third day

and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,

would be preached in his name

to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

You are witnesses of these things.”

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

When we share in the Eucharist we meet the crucified and risen Lord just as these disciples did. We are caught up into the life of the resurrection. If we realized what is going on we too would be ‘speechless with joy’. We can ask for the gift of allowing ourselves to be surprised at the goodness of the God who never deserts us.

PRAYER:

Lord, you wish me to leave the safety of my private upper room and meet you as you come to me daily in the streets. But first let me be with you in prayer, waiting for the power of your Holy Spirit. Armed with this gift let me go forth to witness to you in word and deed.

The Road to Emmaus (EASTER WEDNESDAY - C)

APRIL 20, 2022, WEDNESDAY

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 263

Reading I

Acts 3:1-10

Peter and John were going up to the temple area

for the three o’clock hour of prayer.

And a man crippled from birth was carried

and placed at the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate” every day

to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple.

When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple,

he asked for alms.

But Peter looked intently at him, as did John,

and said, “Look at us.”

He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.

Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold,

but what I do have I give you:

in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.”

Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up,

and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong.

He leaped up, stood, and walked around,

and went into the temple with them,

walking and jumping and praising God.

When all the people saw him walking and praising God,

they recognized him as the one

who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple,

and they were filled with amazement and astonishment

at what had happened to him.

Responsorial Psalm

105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

R.        (3b) Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;

            make known among the nations his deeds.

Sing to him, sing his praise,

            proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

R.        Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Glory in his holy name;

            rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!

Look to the LORD in his strength;

            seek to serve him constantly.

R.        Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,

            sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

He, the LORD, is our God;

            throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R.        Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

He remembers forever his covenant

            which he made binding for a thousand generations--

Which he entered into with Abraham

            and by his oath to Isaac.

R.        Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Ps 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week,

two of Jesus’ disciples were going

to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,

and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.

And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,

Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,

but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

He asked them,

“What are you discussing as you walk along?”

They stopped, looking downcast.

One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,

“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem

who does not know of the things

that have taken place there in these days?”

And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”

They said to him,

“The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,

who was a prophet mighty in deed and word

before God and all the people,

how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over

to a sentence of death and crucified him.

But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;

and besides all this,

it is now the third day since this took place.

Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:

they were at the tomb early in the morning

and did not find his Body;

they came back and reported

that they had indeed seen a vision of angels

who announced that he was alive.

Then some of those with us went to the tomb

and found things just as the women had described,

but him they did not see.”

And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are!

How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things

and enter into his glory?”

Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,

he interpreted to them what referred to him

in all the Scriptures.

As they approached the village to which they were going,

he gave the impression that he was going on farther.

But they urged him, “Stay with us,

for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”

So he went in to stay with them.

And it happened that, while he was with them at table,

he took bread, said the blessing,

broke it, and gave it to them.

With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,

but he vanished from their sight.

Then they said to each other,

“Were not our hearts burning within us

while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem

where they found gathered together

the Eleven and those with them who were saying,

“The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”

Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way

and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Did you ever meet someone while on a journey- in a place, train or bus, hitchhiking, looking for asylum, a Sunday walk, a queue in a hospital, or the dentist, and you have a personal chat? People in the doctor's waiting room tell all sorts of personal details about themselves and their children. It was the same for the disciples on this Sunday walk. The disciples on the road at a bad time in their lives met a stranger who made some sense of some of their troubles. Jesus made sense of their distress by his presence and his word. A good chat can heal a bad day. A good prayer can do the same.

The message of the Gospel is a stark statement of the Law of the cross which is a folly and a scandal, unintelligible in itself and acceptable only in the light of Faith. The message of Christ and the demands that it makes on us would be hollow if Christ himself did not take on the depths of human suffering. After all, the first readers of Luke’s Gospel were facing persecution and some were prepared to die for their Faith. To those and many others who follow them to this very day, Christ did not point out the narrow, difficult path while taking a different route himself.

PRAYER:

Like Cleopas I walk with you, Lord, in all sorts of shapes; but I do not always recognise you. Open the scriptures to me, show me your face in those I walk with, put some warmth into my heart.

"I have seen the Lord!" (EASTER TUESDAY - C)

APRIL 19, 2022, TUESDAY

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 262

Reading I

Acts 2:36-41

On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the Jewish people,

“Let the whole house of Israel know for certain

that God has made him both Lord and Christ,

this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,

and they asked Peter and the other Apostles,

“What are we to do, my brothers?”

Peter said to them,

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you,

in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins;

and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For the promise is made to you and to your children

and to all those far off,

whomever the Lord our God will call.”

He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them,

“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

Those who accepted his message were baptized,

and about three thousand persons were added that day.

Responsorial Psalm

33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22

R.        (5b)  The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Upright is the word of the LORD,

            and all his works are trustworthy.

He loves justice and right;

            of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R.        The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,

            upon those who hope for his kindness,

To deliver them from death

            and preserve them in spite of famine.

R.        The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Our soul waits for the LORD,

            who is our help and our shield.

May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us

            who have put our hope in you.

R.        The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Ps 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping.

And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb

and saw two angels in white sitting there,

one at the head and one at the feet

where the Body of Jesus had been.

And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “They have taken my Lord,

and I don’t know where they laid him.”

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there,

but did not know it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?

Whom are you looking for?”

She thought it was the gardener and said to him,

“Sir, if you carried him away,

tell me where you laid him,

and I will take him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”

which means Teacher.

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me,

for I have not yet ascended to the Father.

But go to my brothers and tell them,

‘I am going to my Father and your Father,

to my God and your God.’”

Mary went and announced to the disciples,

“I have seen the Lord,”

and then reported what he had told her.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Mary Magdalene weeps for what she sees as missing, her tears making it difficult for her to recognise who is present. Easter rescues us not just from our sin, but calls us beyond our dutiful habits, our worthy projects and our personal values. Jesus asks us, “Who are you looking for?" and invites us to let our hopes find true life. He wants to enrich us and to help us to recognise where his Spirit is moving in our lives.

PRAYER:

Lord, the Easter event bids me to leave my tomb of self-absorption and hopelessness. I am called to walk with Easter eyes. Let me bear witness to your risen presence in our shadowed and fractured world. May my humble efforts of advocacy and solidarity enable others to rise from their tombs and live.

Fearful Yet Overjoyed (EASTER MONDAY - C)

APRIL 18, 2022, MONDAY

Monday in the Octave of Easter (White)

CYCLE C- YEAR II

Lectionary: 261

Reading I

Acts 2:14, 22-33

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.”

Responsorial Psalm

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.

Alleluia

Ps 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 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.

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

We find God in the old and familiar places of life, as the apostles found him once again in Galilee. We find him in the memories of past love and the joys of present love. We find him in our tears and laughter, and in the lovely light of a morning sunrise. We can find him so often now, because the risen Lord is not bound by time or place. Alleluia!

PRAYER:

Lord, you fill me with confident joy and tell me not to be afraid. Strengthened by encountering you, you send me to the ‘Galilees’ of my world, where you are often disguised in the poor, the deprived, the oppressed. Let me be a witness to you, an agent of hope and encouragement to all whom I meet.