Monday in the Octave of Easter

Today's Mass Readings

The Gospel readings at Mass this week will be taken from each of the four Evangelists. Through them, we will relive what the followers of Christ experienced immediately after his crucifixion and burial.

The first readings at Mass this week are all from the Acts of the Apostles, and they begin after the Holy Spirit has come down upon the eleven Apostles (i.e., Pentecost).

So there will be a gap of about 50 days between the events in the two readings. The more recent stories will be told first, followed by the older stories. However, my reflections will begin with the Gospels and end with the Acts of the Apostles, to better follow when the events happened.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus had recently been buried. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrived at the tomb (a spiritual work of mercy), with memories of the past days. While at prayer, a great earthquake occurred, and an angel of the Lord rolled back the stone of the tomb. He told them that Jesus had been raised from the dead. The startling events mixed fear with joy, and they left immediately to find the other disciples. Pure incredulous joy must have run through them when they actually met Jesus on the way.

Not so long ago, Peter publicly denied knowing Christ three times. Now this fisherman, unaccustomed to public speaking, is addressing the Israelites gathered in Jerusalem. Using Old Testament references (Psalm 16; Psalm 132; 2 Samuel 7), he is building the case that Jesus the Nazorean is the one about whom the patriarch David prophesied (the one who was crucified, raised from the dead, and is now at God’s right hand). If the mighty deeds, wonders, and signs that God worked through Jesus during his lifetime are not evidence enough that he is the Messiah, the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus and now acting through Peter should be.

Reflection by Br. Jacob Kubajak, OSB