Octave Of Easter
01st April 2024 (Monday)
Psalter: Proper
Reading of the Day
First Reading: 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. “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that 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. God raised him up, loosing 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; my flesh also will dwell in hope.For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about 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 on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about 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 that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11)
R/. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. Or Alleluia
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/.This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice in it and be glad
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : 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, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers 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 sufficient 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.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Highlight: Easter Monday
Guidelines: All happens according to God’s will and plan
The life and death of Jesus and everything happen in conformity to the will and plans of God. Christ has conquered the power of Satan and death. He remains as the victor, deathless and sinless. Peter boldly proclaims this. He bears testimony to this declaring that they are the witnesses to all these.
The risen Lord is the giver of peace and blessings. He gives blessings to the women who see him. This blessing dispels all fears and instils joy. It leads to adoration. We, being endowed with this spirit of fearlessness, joyfulness, and worship, need to become witnesses of the Lord. We need to make others also know about him. We need to share the same experience that we ourselves have tasted.
In the second part of the gospel, we see a series of contrasts between these positive experiences and witnesses. There are soldiers in contrast to the women, chief priests and elders in contrast to the disciples, the false propaganda that they had stolen away Jesus’ body in contrast to the truth that he has risen, and the lure of money in contrast to the power of Christ.
Practice: Today the call of the Lord is clear: Trust the Lord deeply. See him clearly. Remove fear and anxiety. Be filled with his power. And bear testimony to him. Are you ready?
