Easter Sunday

Liturgical Year B - April 8, 2012

Verrijzenis van Jezus

The resurrection of Jesus Christ

We celebrate Easter Sunday because Jesus rose from death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the fundamental principles and beliefs of Christianity and a well documented historical fact. Christians celebrate Easter Sunday because they believe, Jesus died for their sin on the Cross on Good Friday. Jesus was buried on Friday and rose from death on Sunday. Christians believe only Jesus can give eternal life, because He overcame death.

"Peace be with you", was the first greeting of Jesus to the disciples after the Resurrection. The Bible says that the disciples were afraid because they thought they saw a ghost. But do you think they were really afraid because they thought of Jesus as a ghost?

The disciples were afraid not because they thought of Jesus as a ghost. It was because they were ashamed and embarrased. Why? Because they all abandoned Him. They ran away when Jesus was apprehended.

And now, here He was, alive as He promised, and they were ashamed and full of remorse. That is why Jesus said to them, "Peace be with you... I understand... I forgive..."

"Peace be with you" is the Lord's greeting to you this very moment...

	The Gospel of Saint John 20:1-18

20:1	And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre; and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
20:2	She ran, therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
20:3	Peter therefore went out, and that other disciple, and they came to the sepulchre.
20:4	And they both ran together, and that other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
20:5	And when he stooped down, he saw the linen cloths lying; but yet he went not in.
20:6	Then cometh Simon Peter, following him, and went into the sepulchre, and saw the linen cloths lying,
20:7	And the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but apart, wrapped up into one place.
20:8	Then that other disciple also went in, who came first to the sepulchre: and he saw, and believed.
20:9	For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
20:10	The disciples therefore departed again to their home.
20:11	But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
20:12	And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.
20:13	They say to her: Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them: Because they have taken away my Lord; and I know not where they have laid him.
20:14	When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing; and she knew not that it was Jesus.
20:15	Jesus saith to her: Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, thinking it was the gardener, saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
20:16	Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master).
20:17	Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren, and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God.
20:18	Mary Magdalen cometh, and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.

Easter Prayer

Lord Jesus, we have kept vigil with you in your passion, death and resurrection during these days of solemn celebration. We know that by our baptism we are united to you in your saving death and resurrection. We have died with you and have arisen again to new life with you. You ask us to live our lives aware of our union with you in death, in your dying state, but also to experience the power of your resurrection at work in us.

This entire paschal mystery which is at the very centre of our faith is intended to remind us that you are very much alive and at work in the world, constantly bringing life to believers through your grace and destroying the power and the work of Satan. In the age in which we live, Lord Jesus, there is much that would have us believe that this world is all there is, that you are not really alive and with us. Give us constantly the gift of your Holy Spirit to keep alive our belief in you, in your saving death and in your resurrection.
Amen.

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