Octave of Easter
10th April 2023 (Monday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
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First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33
[On the day of Pentecost,] Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, "I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 (R. 1)
R/. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : Matthew 28:8-15
At that time: The women departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me." While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Be witnesses!
Indicative: God is life. No one can defeat or kill the God of life. Those who trust in Him will experience and promote life{alertSuccess}
1. Today’s word of God themes around witness. Christ bore witness to the salvific plan of God. God bore witness to Jesus in accomplishing His mission. Now as believers and followers of Christ, it is our turn to bear witness to him. Peter does this in the first reading and the holy women in the gospel.
2. Jesus is the God-sent Saviour. He came to defeat sin and give life to those dead by sin. But the evil people killed him, wrongly thinking that they had terminated him. But they are wrong. Jesus is the Lord of life. Powers of evil and death cannot kill him or finish him off. God raised him up. He who was humiliated is exalted to the right hand of God. He whose life-spirit was breathed out, pours forth the promise of the Holy Spirit.
3. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary bear witness to the resurrection of the Lord. The effects of such a mighty event are fear and joy. These are understandable because such a mystery causes holy reverence. Besides, it causes immense joy because it fulfils their hopes and the Lord’s promise of rising to life.
4. However, on the other hand, we have also false witnesses in the form of chief priests, elders and soldiers. All try to bury the truth. They contend that the tomb is empty not because the Lord has risen in power but because the dead body was stolen by his disciples
.5. Sad and detestable are these false witnesses. At least after the resurrection, they could see the truth and rectify their failures. Instead, they try hard to shield their wrongdoing with another false fabrication. The soldiers too are culpable. They sell themselves for money and distort the truth. All these represent the innumerable corrupt people that falsify the truth and suppress life.
Imperative: Despite the powerful signs of God’s intervention, many continue to act against truth and life. We are called to stand with courage as powerful witnesses{alertSuccess}