Easter Sunday

Title

Redemption Looks Like Jesus

Outline

1. The present is often explained by the past

If we know the history, the background of an event, we can understand it better

Historians do this all the time, and I do it when I do a family systems analysis of a person, couple, or work system.

We did this last night when we read over the whole history of God’s dealings with humanity

And we see this in our readings today

2. The event was a resurrection

John chooses to focus on Mary Magdalene, who arrives at Jesus’ tomb and discovers it open and the body gone

Peter and the anonymous Beloved Disciple run to the tomb to check this out

The tomb was open

There was no body in the trough archisoleum

But then Peter goes in to make an examination:

The grave clothes were still there intact, so the body had not been stolen

But the face cloth was rolled up separately, as if there was a need to free the face

They get it: Jesus has somehow passed through the graveclothes, pulled the cloth off his face, sort of made his bed, and is gone.

It will, however, take some time to fully understand

3. Peter later goes into the background, explaining it to gentiles

Jesus had preach the good news of peace to the “sons of Israel”

The Holy Spirit had validated the message through works of power, of which Peter and his companions were witnesses (note the “all who were oppressed by the devil”)

The Jews had put him to death by crucifixion (put nicely as “hung on a tree”)

God had raised him from the dead, certifying this by his eating and drinking with witnesses, including Peter

Now comes the point: “he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead.” - Jesus rules

Furthermore, the way of repentance and forgiveness is open to all, not just to the Jews

4. Paul shows further reflection and draws out conclusion:

When we commit to the risen Lord Jesus (in baptism), we die with him and then are raised with him. That gives purpose to his death and resurrection.

Then he says: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

In other words, once we have committed to Jesus and died and risen with him, we have the task of working this out by focusing on him where he is now and fixing our minds on him and his purposes (think of the Our Father). That will enable us to live out our new, renewed life in him.

The resurrection of Jesus is critical, but it is the middle of the story. As we reflect on it, we look back on where we have been, we see the power of God redeeming us, and we follow him into the heavenly dimension with a fixed gaze so as to realize the transformation he has worked in us in history.

Those who are wise will not make Easter a day or an Octave, but a life-long focus.

Readings

First reading:

Acts 10:34–43 RSV2CE

And Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the word which he sent to the sons of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Epistle

Colossians 3:1–4 RSV2CE

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Gospel

John 20:1–9 RSV2CE

Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings Easter Sunday, Year B

EASTER SUNDAY

YEAR B | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Acts 10:34a, 37–43

Response Psalm 118:24

Psalm Psalm 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23

Second Reading Colossians 3:1–4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b–8

Gospel Acclamation 1 Corinthians 5:7b–8a

Gospel John 20:1–9 or Mark 16:1–7 or Luke 24:13–35