Lecturas :
Hechos 10,34.37-43
Salmo 118,1-2.16-17.22-23
Colosenses 3,1-4
Juan 20,1-9

El sepulcro estaba vacío. En la obscuridad del amanecer en ese primer domingo de pascua, reinaba la confusión en María Magdalena y los discípulos. Pero al crecer el resplandor del sol pudieron ver el amanecer de una nueva creación.

Al principio, no comprendían lo que decían las Escrituras, según el evangelio de hoy. No sabemos exactamente cuales Escrituras eran las que debiesen comprender. Tal vez era la señal de Jonás, quien sale del vientre del pez al tercer día (véase Jonás 1,17). O quizá la profecía de Oseas de la restauración de Israel después del exilio (véase Oseas 6,2). Tal vez era el salmista quien regocijaba al no lo ser abandonado por Dios a la sepultura (Salmo 16, 9-10).

Cualquiera que fuese la Escritura, al asomarse los discípulos al sepulcro, ellos vieron y creyeron. ¿Qué fue lo que vieron? Los lienzos en el piso y el sepulcro vacío. La piedra removida del sepulcro. Siete veces en nueve versículos escuchamos la palabra “sepulcro.”

¿Qué fue lo que creyeron? Que Dios hizo lo que Jesús dijo que iba a hacer—de resucitarlo al tercer día (véase Marcos 9,31; 10,34).

A lo que vieron y creyeron, dieron testimonio según la primera lectura. El discurso de Pedro es una síntesis de los evangelios—desde el bautismo de Jesús en el Jordán hasta terminar colgado en la cruz (Deuteronomio 21,22-23), y por fin a su resurrección de entre los muertos.

Somos hijos de los apóstoles, nacidos a un mundo nuevo de su testimonio. Nuestras vidas ahora están “escondidas con Cristo en Dios,” como nos dice la epístola de hoy. Así como ellos, nos reunimos en la mañana del primer día de la semana- para celebrar la Eucaristía, la fiesta del sepulcro vacío.

Regocijamos que las piedras han sido removidas también de nuestros sepulcros. Cada uno podemos exclamar como en el Salmo, “No moriré, sino que viviré.” Ellos vieron y creyeron. Y nosotros esperamos el día que se nos ha prometido que vendrá—cuando nosotros también nos “veremos con Él en la gloria.”

Readings:
Acts 10:34, 37–43
Psalm 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23
Colossians 3:1–4
John 20:1–9

The tomb was empty. In the early morning darkness of that first Easter, there was only confusion for Mary Magdalene and the other disciples. But as the daylight spread, they saw the dawning of a new creation.

At first they didn’t understand the Scripture, today’s Gospel tells us. We don’t know which precise Scripture texts they were supposed to understand. Perhaps it was the sign of Jonah, who rose from the belly of the great fish after three days (see Jonah 1:17). Or maybe Hosea’s prophecy of Israel’s restoration from exile (see Hosea 6:2). Perhaps it was the psalmist who rejoiced that God had not abandoned him to the netherworld (see Psalm 16:9–10).

Whichever Scripture it was, as the disciples bent down into the tomb, they saw and they believed. What did they see? Burial shrouds in an empty tomb. The stone removed from the tomb. Seven times
in nine verses we hear that word—“tomb.”

What did they believe? That God had done what Jesus said He would do—raised Him up on the third day (see Mark 9:31; 10:34).

What they saw and believed they bore witness to, as today’s First Reading tells us. Peter’s speech is a summary of the gospels—from Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan t His hanging on a tree (see Deuteronomy 21:22–23), to His rising from the dead.

We are children of the apostles, born into the new world of their witness. Our lives are now “hidden with Christ in God,” as today’s Epistle says. Like them, we gather in the morning on the first day of the week —to celebrate the Eucharist, the feast of the empty tomb.

We rejoice that the stones have been rolled away from our tombs, too. Each of us can shout, as we do in today’s Psalm: “I shall not die, but live.” They saw and believed. And we await the day they promised would come—when we, too, “will appear with Him in glory.”

 

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter by Mr. Clement Harrold.

Holy Saturday First Reading: Genesis 1: 1 – 2: 2 or 1: 1, 26-31a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 104: 1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35 or Psalms 33: 4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20 and 22
Second Reading: Genesis 22: 1-18 or 22: 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 16: 5, 8, 9-10, 11
Third Reading: Exodus 14: 15 – 15: 1
Responsorial Psalm: Exodus 15: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18
Fourth Reading: Isaiah 54: 5-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 30: 2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
Fifth Reading: Isaiah 55: 1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12: 2-3, 4, 5-6
Sixth Reading: Baruch 3: 9-15, 32 – 4: 4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 11
Seventh Reading: Ezekiel 36: 16-17a, 18-28
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 42: 3, 5; 43: 3, 4 or Isaiah 12: 2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 or Psalms 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
Epistle Reading: Romans 6: 3-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Gospel: Mark 16: 1-7

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Good Friday of the Lord's Passion by Dr. John Bergsma.

Good Friday, Day of Fast (Ages 18-59) and Abstinence from Meat (Age 14 and Up) First Reading: Isaiah 52: 13 – 53: 12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 31: 2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25
Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9
Verse Before the Gospel: Philippians 2: 8-9
Gospel: John 18: 1 – 19: 42

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Holy Thursday by Ms. Joan Watson.

Holy Thursday, At Evening, Begin Easter Triduum of the Lord’ Solemnity Passion, Death and Resurrection First Reading: Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 116: 12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18
Second Reading: First Corinthians 11: 23-26
Verse Before the Gospel: John 13: 34
Gospel: John 13: 1-15

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of Holy Week by Dr. John Bergsma.

Wednesday of Holy Week First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-9a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 69: 8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34
Gospel: Matthew 26: 14-25

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of Holy Week by Dr. Shane Owens.

Tuesday of Holy Week First Reading: Isaiah 49: 1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 71: 1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17
Gospel: John 13: 21-33, 36-38

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of Holy Week by Dr. Scott Hahn.

Monday of Holy Week First Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 27: 1, 2, 3, 13-14
Gospel: John 12: 1-11

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Readings:
Isaiah 50:4–7
Psalm 22:8–9, 17–20, 23–24
Philippians 2:6–11
Mark 14:1–15:47

Crowned with thorns, our Lord is lifted up on the Cross, where He dies as “King of the Jews.” Notice how many times He is called “king” in today’s Gospel—mostly in scorn and mockery.

As we hear the long accounts of His Passion, at every turn we must remind ourselves—He suffered this cruel and unusual violence for us.

He is the Suffering Servant foretold by Isaiah in today’s First Reading. He reenacts the agony described in today’s Psalm, and even dies with the first words of that Psalm on His lips (see Psalm 22:1).

Listen carefully for the echoes of this Psalm throughout today’s Gospel—as Jesus is beaten, His hands and feet are pierced; as His enemies gamble for His clothes, wagging their heads, mocking His faith in God’s love, His faith that God will deliver Him.

Are we that much different from our Lord’s tormenters? Often, don’t we deny that He is King, refusing to obey His only commands that we love Him and one another? Don’t we render Him mock tribute, pay Him lip service with our half-hearted devotions?

In the dark noon of Calvary, the veil in Jerusalem’s temple was torn. It was a sign that by His death Jesus destroyed forever the barrier separating us from the presence of God.

He was God and yet humbled Himself to come among us, we’re reminded in today’s Epistle. And despite our repeated failures, our frailty, Jesus still humbles Himself to come to us, offering us His body and blood in the Eucharist.

His enemies never understood: His kingship isn’t of this world (see John 18:36). He wants to write His law, His rule of life on our hearts and minds.

As we enter Holy Week, let us once more resolve to give Him dominion in our lives. Let us take up the cross He gives to us—and confess with all our hearts, minds, and strength that truly this is the Son of God.

Lecturas:
Isaías 50,4–7
Salmo 22,8–9, 17–20, 23–24
Filipenses 2,6–11
Marcos 14, 1–15, 47

“Ha llegado a su cumplimiento lo que está escrito de mí”, nos dice Jesús en el Evangelio de hoy (cfr. Lc 22,37).

De hecho, hemos alcanzado el clímax del año litúrgico, el punto más elevado de la historia de la salvación, en el que se cumple todo aquello que había sido anticipado y prometido.

Al terminar el extenso Evangelio del día de hoy, la obra de nuestra redención quedará completa. La nueva alianza será escrita con la sangre de su Cuerpo quebrantado que cuelga de la cruz, en el sitio llamado “la Calavera”.

En su Pasión, Jesús es “contado entre los malhechores”, como Isaías lo había predicho (cfr. Is 53,12). Es revelado definitivamente como el Siervo Sufriente anunciado por el profeta; el Mesías tan esperado cuyas palabras de fe y obediencia se escuchan en la primera lectura y el salmo de hoy.

Las burlas y tormentos que escuchamos en estas dos lecturas marcan el paso del Evangelio en que Jesús, que es golpeado y mofado (cfr. Lc 22,63–65; 23,10.11.16), y cuyas manos y pies son taladrados (cfr. Lc 23,33), mientras sus enemigos se juegan sus vestiduras (cfr. Lc 23,34) y es retado tres veces a probar su divinidad librándose del sufrimiento (cfr. Lc 23,35.37.39).

Permanece fiel a la voluntad de Dios hasta el final; no retrocede ante su prueba. Se entrega libremente a sus torturadores, confiado en lo que nos dice la primera lectura de hoy: “el Señor es mi ayuda…no quedaré avergonzado”.

Nosotros, hijos de Adán destinados al pecado y a la muerte, hemos sido liberados para la santidad y la vida mediante la obediencia perfecta de Cristo a la voluntad del Padre (cfr. Rm 5,12–14.17.19; Ef 2,2; 5,6).

Por este motivo Dios lo exaltó. Por eso, en su Nombre tenemos la salvación. Al seguir su ejemplo de obediencia humilde en las pruebas y cruces de nuestras vidas, sabemos que nunca seremos abandonados; y que un día también estaremos con Él en el paraíso (cfr. Lc 23,42).