Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": Easter T

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For Psalm 33

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Acts 2:36-41 Peter / Jews: “God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ.” / “What are we to do?” / “Repent and be baptized to receive forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, about 3,000 that day.

Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22 "The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." We wait for the Lord, our help and shield. May your kindness be upon us who hope in you.

Jn 20:11-18 Mary Magdalene, weeping, bent into the tomb and saw two angels: “Why are you weeping?” / “They've taken my Lord....” She turned and saw Jesus but didn't know it was Jesus. / “Woman, why are you weeping?” / “If you know, tell me where you laid him.” / “Mary!” / “Teacher!” / “Go tell my brothers, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went, announced, “I have seen the Lord,” and reported what he told her.

Reflect

Fr. Jim Clarke homily video: Easter, God's exclamation point: love, hope, and joy break through.

Creighton: "Repent; rejoice; report": These themes in today's readings sum up Lent, Easter, and beyond in a coherent response. We know we need to repent of our sins every day. Peter reminded the Apostles that it was necessary to repent to receive the Holy Spirit and realize the promise made to us. If we live in those promises, we'll rejoice in the Lord's kindness. Just as we need to repent daily, so too we need to rejoice daily, focusing our hope in the Lord. The earth is full of the Lord's goodness. It's good to rise proclaiming, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it!” We're no good to ourselves or anyone else if we don't rejoice. Our rejoicing is not motivated by how well things go but by how certain we are that the Lord loves us. Like Mary, we are to report what Jesus has told us. God is with us! Easter is about sharing the good news. My life should show I'm authentic about my shortcomings but confident in my efforts to live a loving, good life. If repent, rejoice, and report, we'll live in the promise of the resurrection.

One Bread, One Body: "Victory garden": Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the cross. Jesus was crucified and buried in a garden. Jesus had prophesied that "unless a wheat grain falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain, but if it dies, it produces much fruit." This garden contained the ground in which Jesus' dead body was sown. What rose was glorious, mysteriously different from what was buried. Mary Magdalene was still following Jesus after he died; if anyone could be expected to recognize him, it would be Mary, but she thought he was the gardener. She eventually recognized him because she was seeking him, she took the narrow gate through the cross to find him, and in entering through the gate of the crucified she found a garden. Mary was right: Jesus is the Gardener. When we lay down our lives for him and give him our all, he gives us life, pouring out the Spirit on us so we may grow and bear fruit. May we receive the Spirit, live the risen life, and grow in the garden of God.

Passionist: Today's gospel evokes a sense of loss followed by awareness of discovery and life. I hear in Mary's voice a cry from one in shock at the loss of her Lord and on the verge of panic and despair. Yet the word Jesus spoke, “Mary,” opened her eyes. A simple calling out of her name by one who loved her changed her forever. We're invited to listen carefully for the calling of our name by the Risen Lord. If we hear the Lord call us by name, we'll never be the same!

DailyScripture.net: "I have seen the Lord!" It's easy to miss the Lord when we focus on ourselves. Mary didn't recognize the Lord at first because she focused on the empty tomb and her grief. Once the Master called her by name, she recognized him. Mary's "I have seen the Lord" is the essence of Christianity: it's not enough to know about the Lord; we have to know him personally. In the resurrection we encounter the Lord who loves us personally, shares his glory with us, and gives us eyes of faith to see the truth of his resurrection and victory. The resurrection is the foundation of our hope, hope we'll see God face to face and share his glory and joy. "Without seeing him you love him; though you don't see him, you believe and rejoice. As the outcome of your faith, you obtain salvation...."

Dress legend

'Pierced hearts' suspenders: When the Jews heard Peter, they were cut to the heart (1st reading)

'Phone' tie bar: "The promise is made to... whomever the Lord will call.” (1st reading)

'Eyeball' tie pin: "The Lord's eyes are on those who fear and hope in him" (psalm); "I have seen the Lord" (gospel)

Blue and white shirt, white socks: White for Easter day and season, blue for waters of baptism (1st reading)

Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"