God's Message For You - 21 April 2019
Rey Dionela
READINGS for 2019-04-21
EASTER SUNDAY WHAT WILL BE MADE KNOWN When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. – Luke 24:9 Mom asked us not to tell Dad about his condition until after his birthday. No one had the heart to break the sad news so Mom arranged for him to see the doctor who could explain it all. When he got home, he said, “I’m hoping for the best but expecting the worst.” In my mind I asked, “How could I go on hoping after you’ve been told you are dying, Dad?” I felt more devastated than him but was comforted that he accepted his diagnosis and was hopeful. I realized then that I feared what I already knew just as much as I dreaded the unknown. Magdalene and Mary were also afraid when they saw the angel at Jesus’ tomb. They didn’t understand what was happening even after hearing that Jesus was raised from the dead. They “went away quickly, fearful yet overjoyed.” They were more than overjoyed when Jesus met them along the way. They feared what they knew but were joyful of what was yet unknown. Like them, I pray that despite my fears, I will place my hope in the Lord’s resurrection and promise of eternal life. Only then could He fill my heart with unspeakable joy of what is still unknown but will be made known, when He returns again. Dina Pecaña (din...@shepherdsvoice.com.ph) Reflect: “God set him free from death and raised him to life. Death could not hold him in its power.” (Acts 2:24) Risen Lord, give me a new hope and everlasting joy on this Easter day. St. Anselm, bishop and Doctor of the Church, pray for us. |
1st READING The essence of the kerygma is the proclamation of the death and resurrection of Jesus. We cannot have a resurrection without the vicarious and freely chosen death of Jesus for our sake. We are the beneficiaries of His great sacrifice on the cross. The amazing nature of God’s love has the power to transform us. Acts 10:34, 37-43 34 Peter proceeded to speak and said: 37 “You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.39 We are witnesses of 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. 40 This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, 41 not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” PSALM Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 R: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. 2 Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” (R) 16 “The right hand of the Lord has struck with power; the right hand of the Lord is exalted.” 17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. (R) 22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. (R) 2nd READING Paul, one of the most effective evangelists of the Church, knows that he cannot avoid the scandal of the Gospel—the death of the Son of God. Paul experienced this power in his own conversion. Let us share our experience of the Gospel’s life-changing power with others. It might be just the thing they need to hear at this time. Colossians 3:1-4 (or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8) 1 Brothers and sisters: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory. GOSPEL There are many stories in the Gospels about people who encounter the resurrected Jesus. But let us not limit our understanding of how God reveals Himself to us with these stories. Our God is big enough to personalize His encounters with us and reveal His love to us. Let us be open to how God wants to touch our lives, to draw us to Him, and to go where He leads. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed; let us then feast with joy in the Lord. Luke 24:13-35 (or Luke 24:1-12 or John 20:1-9) 13 That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, 14 and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. 15 And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, 16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. 22 Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning23 and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. 24 Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. 31With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. 32 Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them 34 who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. think: What is your most recent encounter with God? How did He reveal Himself to you? ______________________________ ______________________________
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST thank You, Lord, for: ____________________
Read the Bible in one year - Numbers 1-3
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LIGHT IN DARKNESS We see darkness in a negative way. Why? Robberies happen in the dark. Evil intentions are hidden in the dark. People with poor eyesight or are blind get into accidents. There are those whose darkness are their problems and crises in life that prevent them from thinking clearly. These and many such experiences bring us to darkness. Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark. It must have been a frightening experience for her, especially because she did not know what to expect. She woke up early and gathered strength to get up at a time when people were still in bed. She might be confronted by the guards in the tomb and be questioned why she was there. Those who might know of what she was doing may call her crazy. In the darkness, Mary was never sure of anything. Arriving at the tomb, Mary experienced something different. All her fears and anxiety vanished. In the midst of darkness, she saw the big stone removed. Although still bothered by the darkness of her grief, many things went through her mind. But one thing was sure as she spoke with the Apostles—Jesus has risen from the dead! She and the others believed what was written in the Scripture. Darkness may be a frightening thing, but we also have to remember that after the darkness comes the light. If we are troubled by problems, solutions will come. If we are “blinded” and can’t find our way, someone will accompany and journey with us. The Christian community entered into the experience of Lent, and now we are living in the glory of Jesus’ resurrection. Fr. Joel Victorino -------- REFLECTION QUESTION ------- When were you in darkness and then made to experience new life?
Risen Christ, help me rise from the darkness of sin and death that I may bask in the glorious light of Your resurrection. Amen.
Today, I pray for: ___________________________ |