The Resurrection of the Lord

Today is Easter Sunday, the celebration of the Resurrection of The Lord. The assigned readings for the Mass of Easter Day are Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; and John 20:1-9. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 118 (Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 118 "Hymn of Rejoicing and Thanksgiving"

This Gospel reading is as follows:

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Reflections on this celebration:

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: The Meaning of Easter

Msgr. Charles Pope: Jesus is Real to Me – A Mediation on the Gospel for Easter (7 APR 12)

The Quiet Corner: Believers accept the resurrection by heeding Christ’s words (5 APR 12)

The Lectionary: Let us rejoice that Jesus has fulfilled his promise (5 APR 12)

Dr. Scott Hahn: New Morning (April 8th 2012 - Easter Sunday)