Easter Sunday readings
Acts 10:34a, 37–43
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
John 20:1-9, Matthew 28:1-10 or Luke 24:13-35
Many cultures have expressions of Easter joy that are known to everyone. Most are a variation of the simple proclamation of Easter:
Jesus Christ is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!
– He is Risen indeed, Alleluia, Alleluia!
The Responsorial Psalm offers one of these cries of joy that is common:
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
Unfortunately, in the English-speaking world, this custom of sharing the Good News is not universally known. We may do well to “re-introduce” it. This is a simple way of creating a common culture. Give this a try. Teach them to your friends and family.
Some deacons and priests make use of these expressions to begin their homilies and are consistent in using them every time they preach. This puts the simple phrases on the lips of their hearers and serves as a message that can be carried out to the world. Children especially easily learn these expressions, and they are creative in making use of them.
God is good.
– All the time.
All the time.
– God is good.
Although it might seem a bit foolish to be so predictable, this approach offers a clear message that is received every time one preaches, whether any other part of the homily is remembered.
The Gospel of Easter offers several options. In each option, there is a moment of proclamation of the mystery surrounding the event of the Resurrection and a response to it. This fits well with the responsive proclamation just described.
Mary Magdalene and Peter are given a special place as the first ones to receive the news of the Resurrection. Mary Magdalene invites the disciples of the Lord to hear the news of the empty tomb (John 20) and, with the other women, to charge them to meet the Lord in Galilee after (Matthew 28). For an evening Mass on Easter Sunday, the Emmaus account is suggested (Luke 24).
Mary Magdalene’s words and the testimony of the other women mentioned are received with skepticism. When (Simon) Peter corroborates the truth of the message, the proclamation is shared “officially”: “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”
There is a tradition outside of Scripture that Jesus first appeared to His mother, Mary. It is fitting that this “hidden” appearance leaves the intimacy of that encounter to the mother and Son. When the news is heard and believed by the disciples, most of whom had deserted Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, it begins to take flight as the truth that sets us free.
We become ready to continue to experience the hidden Presence of the risen Lord, seeing Him in spite of the emptiness we might feel, when the wrappings of our pain are set aside. We put our trust in the testimonies of the first witnesses – unofficial and official – and we enter into the responsibility of proclaiming the messages in our own time.
The glorious season of Easter opens with the Alleluia that bursts out at the Easter Vigil. Now begins a season of 50 days that deserves a full celebration. May we keep our eyes fixed on “what is above, not of what is on earth.”
St. Paul reminds us that we share in the Resurrection: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.”
Let us rejoice together in Christ and in the victory that He has won for us over sin and death. Jesus Christ is risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Go ahead, say it aloud: He is risen indeed, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Now, share that message and let others know your joy!