Easter Mon.

April 21, 2014:  Easter Monday (Monday in the Octave of Easter)

Readings

• Acts 2:14, 22-33  Peter:  “Children of Israel, God worked mighty deeds through Jesus.  You killed Jesus, but God raised him up.  David says, "I saw the Lord; I shall not be disturbed.  I hope, because you won't abandon me or allow me to see corruption.  You made the paths of life known to me."  David died, but he knew God would set one of his descendants on his throne; he foresaw the Christ's resurrection.  We see God raised Jesus; he poured forth the Holy Spirit.

• Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-11  "Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope."  I set the Lord before me.  My heart and soul rejoice.  You won't allow your faithful one to undergo corruption.

• Mt 28:8-15  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary left the tomb to tell his disciples.  Jesus told them on the way, “Don't be afraid.  Tell them to go see me in Galilee.”  Some of the guard told the chief priests what happened.  The chief priests paid them off, telling them to say the disciples stole Jesus.  They did, and the story still circulates.

Pope Francis

• Regina Coeli address:  The dominant feeling in the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection is joy and wonder; we relive it in the liturgy.  Let it be imprinted in our hearts and lives. Let Easter's joyous wonder radiate through our thoughts, looks, attitudes, gestures, and words.  Let it come from within us, from hearts immersed in the source of joy, so we become witnesses to the resurrection, bringing God's light to human situations, spreading happiness, helping those in pain, and bringing serenity and hope.  Think about Mary's joy; her pain pierced her, but she became a source of peace, comfort, hope, and mercy.  She's the Mother full of hope, the Mother of all the disciples and of the Church.

Reflections

• Creighton:  The “new” Peter speaks more confidently than the one in the upper room after the crucifixion.  Am I as courageous?  Jesus tells the women, and us, “Peace!  Don't fear!”  He'll meet us with open, loving arms. 

• One Bread One Body:  Satan bought the soldiers' lies about Jesus' resurrection, but some will witness for Christ at any cost.  May I be willing to give up everything.

Dance of Youth/ Picasso

• Moved to greater love Jesuit reflection:  Ask for grace to encounter, embrace, and be embraced by the risen Jesus.   Think of a time a loved one shared wonderful news with me.  What was it like to listen, ask questions, sit together, and celebrate?  Now the risen Jesus enters and shares his story with me; how do we share and celebrate?

• Universalis:  St. Anselm, bishop, one of Fr. Gerry McCool's (RIP) "5 medieval thinkers"

• Sacred Space

Music

• Glorious Day/ Bleecker, Hall, Chapman

• Variations on an Easter theme for two organs/ Rutter 

Apparel from Easter Vigil/Sunday readings

• "Chariot" tie pin:  Pharaoh's chariots

• "Stone" tie pin:  "...taking from your bodies your stony hearts"; "angel rolled away the stone"

• "Deer" tie pin:  "Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God."

• "Keyboard with dove" tie pin:  God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit

• "Sheep" tie bar:  God will provide sheep for the holocaust; Our lamb has been sacrificed; a Lamb redeems the sheep

• White shirt:  color of the day

Dress your life!