FIRST READING
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (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. “Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which 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. But God raised him up, having loosed 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; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Brethren, I may say to you confidently of 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 upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of 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 which you see and hear.”
The word of the Lord
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 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
Preserve me, O God,
for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord.”
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
you yourself who secure my lot. R/.
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord before me always;
with him at my right hand,
I shall not be moved. R/.
R/. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Or: Alleluia.
And so, my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my flesh shall rest in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to hell,
nor let your holy one see corruption. R/.
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand, bliss forever. R/.
ALLELUIA Psalm 118:24
Alleluia. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. Alleluia
GOSPEL
“Tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (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, “Hail!” 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 brethren 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 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.
The Gospel of the Lord
TODAY’S REFLECTION
The resurrection of Christ is a sign of contradiction; it produces joy in its witnesses, but in those who are hard of heart, falsehood. Peter’s message, full of joy and exultation, is addressed to all people. All of us are called to listen to and make our own his words: “God raised this Jesus to life; we are all witnesses to that.” This witnessing springs from an experience of the Risen Lord who meets and greets us on the way. The death of Christ is in fact birth; it is liberation and recovery of all that is human which, passing through death, arrives at the fullness of perennial vitality. In the resurrection humanity is saved in a unique and definitive way. Whatever is human has been received and renewed by the living God through Christ. This inexhaustible mystery is revealed to those who are sincere and free from falsehood