Gospel
John 20:1-9
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. 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. 3 Peter therefore went out, and that other disciple, and they came to the sepulchre. 4 And they both ran together, and that other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5 And when he stooped down, he saw the linen cloths lying; but yet he went not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter, following him, and went into the sepulchre, and saw the linen cloths lying, 7 And the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but apart, wrapped up into one place. 8 Then that other disciple also went in, who came first to the sepulchre: and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
In contrast to the Mass Readings for the Easter Vigil Mass (which can go on for hours), Easter Sunday morning’s are brief. I think the Church does this purposefully, perhaps to enhance our celebration. Recall when the religious Jews criticized Jesus that His disciples did not follow fasting, elaborate cleansing ceremonies and did not follow the traditions of the Sabbath as the Law of Moses required. Jesus replied that the Bride Groom was at hand and that now was a time for feasting and celebration. Today, we celebrate with joy. Sin, death and the Law itself are conquered!
One of today’s readings tells us:
I Corinthians 5:6-8
6 Your glorying is not good. Know you not that a little leaven corrupteth the whole lump? 7 Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened. For Christ our pasch is sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Few are taught in schools today the true history of America. America was founded as an almost entirely Protestant nation. Maryland was somewhat of a sanctuary for Catholics. But, most states in the first century or so of America had strict laws that discriminated against Catholics. The celebrations of Christmas and Easter as we know them now were not allowed in many states, because they were considered Catholic in nature. My Pilgrim ancestors would have been put in the stocks, publicly humiliated and beaten with whips had they put up a Christmas tree, given a child an Easter basket or even had a celebratory family feast on these holiest of Christian days! It was not until the mid to late 1800s when American began to celebrate the holidays. Even now, some protestant denominations condemn our festive traditions as being somehow pagan.
Today, we throw off all those old limitations in our pure Christian joy. We are new men and women, Sunday people! Spend time with family and friends. Celebrate. Sing. Eat and enjoy the great bounty God provides. Give candy to children. Have Easter egg hunts. Delight the children with cartoonish Easter bunnies. Send Easter cards. Bring joy to all you possibly can. Invite those who lack friends and family into your home. Visit those in hospitals and nursing homes. Do what you can for the poor and homeless. Be fill with pure Christian joy!
God never violates our free will. You have to choose joy. The more you embrace joy and the love of friend, family and neighbor, the more joy you will find in God… the more the love of God will fill you. The promise of Easter is the purest joy and love there is… no wonder we take this opportunity to celebrate children. Jesus said we must be like children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. There is nothing more purely joyful than the innocence of children. Many sufferings come in life, but today is a day to celebrate. Today is your birthday as a Christian. Today is the first day of eternal happiness. Today is also a day to celebrate being Catholic. It is a great privilege to be Catholic, to have the fullness of the Truth in the Church and to celebrate as part of the Family of God!
A Daily Catholic Devotional Reflections on the Daily Mass readings January-June, 2024. may be purchased as a .pdf directly from me using this link https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-daily-catholic-devotional-reflections.html or in paperback on Amazon amazon.com/dp/B0CPD1DC7Q
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Gospel passages are taken from the Douay Rheims Bible.
Thank you for your wonderful Easter Week publications. I appreciate your ongoing efforts!