The Resurrection of the Lord

Today the Church celebrates Easter, 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 Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good

The 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 these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Easter Sunday (April 5, 2015)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Easter Sunday (April 5, 2015)

Msgr. Charles Pope: Jesus Is Real to Me! A Homily for Easter Sunday (4 APR 15)

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: The Meaning of Easter

Word on Fire: The Empty Grave (Cycle B * Easter)

Dr. Scott Hahn: New Morning (April 5th 2015 - Easter Sunday)

The Word Embodied: Rising (Easter Sunday - Resurrection of the Lord)

Historical Cultural Context: Faith (Easter Sunday - Resurrection of the Lord)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Guerric of Igny (Easter Sunday - Resurrection of the Lord)