APRIL 20, 2014
Easter Sunday
1st Reading: Acts 10:34, 37-43
2nd Reading: Col 3:1-4
Gospel: Jn 20:1-9
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 he must rise from the dead, but they had not yet understood that.
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
The resurrection blotted out the impression of defeat which death tried to paint at Calvary. St. Paul asked the appropriate question when he wrote: “O death, where is your sting, O death where is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55)
When enemies harass us and we cry all night feeling helpless, let not the tears blur our vision of the resurrection. Calvary is temporary, resurrection is eternal! Life my turn out cruel and tears may never dry. But if we fix our eyes on the promise of the resurrection, these tears lose the power to drown us. They will serve instead as refreshing water that nourishes the dying roots of our hope. Now no trial or suffering or persecution or disaster can separate us from the love of God. We are no longer subject to fear. Jesus’ exhortation to his disciples not to be afraid because “fear is useless and what is needed is faith” now applies to us as our fitting share in the fruits of the resurrection. We can claim this as our own victory.
But claiming this victory carries the responsibility of embracing new life in Christ (Rom. 6:4) and putting on the new man (Eph. 4:24). For although Jesus already conquered death, our flesh will continue to weigh us down. Remember that the ‘carnal mind is enmity against God’ (Rom. 8:7). Death has been conquered by Jesus’ resurrection but the battle goes on. So let us do our own share of self denial for that strength to resist temptation. The same challenge stands: we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow in Christ’s footsteps.—Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.frdan.org.
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