Gospel: April 21, 2025
April 21, 2025 (Monday)
Octave of Easter, Monday
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 16:1-2a & 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
1st Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33
Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15
In fear, yet with great joy, the women left the tomb and ran to tell the news to his disciples. Suddenly, Jesus met them on the way and said, “Rejoice!” The women approached him, embraced his feet and worshiped him. But Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid! Go and tell my brothers to set out for Galilee; there, they will see me.” As the women proceeded on their way, some of the guards went into the city, and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests met with the elders, and decided to give the soldiers a large sum of money, with this order, “Say that his disciples came by night while you were asleep, and stole the body of Jesus. If Pilate comes to know of this, we will explain the situation and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers accepted the money and did as they were told. This story has circulated among the Jews until this day.
Reflection:
“We are all witnesses.”
“We are all witnesses.” This is a fundamental part of being Christian. We witness by our words and deeds to the reality of the resurrection, without fear of rejection or contradiction by those who consider it to be false. The faith of the Church throughout the centuries is built upon the witness of the first disciples, who encountered the Risen Lord and were commanded to go and tell others. We experience the Risen Christ in the Eucharist, and in the other Sacraments, as well as in our prayers and in other people, whom we are called to love and serve. The power the resurrection shines a light in our lives in such a way that we can see Christ in our daily activities. Thus, we can say with King David: Lord, your presence in our lives fills us with joy. It’s that joy of experiencing the presence of the crucified and risen Christ in our hearts that prompts us to witness to him, to proclaim the truth of his resurrection, and to profess with confidence our faith in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
