The Resurrection of the Lord
This Week’s Intention: As we rejoice in our Lord’s triumph over sin and death, may we celebrate his gift of reconciliation to the Father through our own daily lives of faith, hope, and love.
Today’s Gospel | John 20:1-9
On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.
From the Meditation for Easter Sunday | St. John Baptist de La Salle
This feast is a day of joy for the entire Church; that is why we so frequently and so solemnly sing these words of the Royal Prophet: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Indeed, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is at once very glorious for him and highly advantageous for all the faithful.
It is glorious for Jesus Christ, because by it he overcame death. This led Saint Paul to affirm that Jesus Christ was raised up for the glory of his Father and that once risen, he dies no more, because death will no longer have power over him.
It is advantageous for us, because it is an assurance of our own resurrection. Certain it is, adds the Apostle, that just as all died in Adam, so too all will rise again in Jesus Christ. According to this same Apostle, it was on this happy day that death was destroyed once and for all. Rejoice with the whole Church over so great a favor, and thank Jesus Christ, our Lord, very humbly for it.
Prayer
Eternal Father, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our salvation, and by raising him up you delivered us from the power of death. You have redeemed us through the healing power of this gift of life. In your mercy, strengthen us in our faith and fill us with compassion and care for one another. May we die to sin, so that we may live forever in the fullness of your love. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts forever.