Sunday, May 01, 2011 (Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 2:42-47
42     And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43     And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44     And all who believed were together and had all things in common;
45     and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need.
46     And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts,
47     praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Psalm: Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
2     Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
3     Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
4     Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
13     I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.
14     The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
15     Hark, glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
22     The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
23     This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24     This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
3     Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4     and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
5     who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6     In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials,
7     so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
8     Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy.
9     As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls.

Gospel: John 20:19-31
19     On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
20     When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21     Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."
22     And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23     If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
24     Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
25     So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."
26     Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you."
27     Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing."
28     Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
29     Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
30     Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31     but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
In our neighbor, we should observe only what is good.

-- St. Jeanne de Chantal

Saturday, April 30, 2011 (Saturday in the Octave of Easter)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 4:13-21
13     Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
14     But seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
15     But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred with one another,
16     saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17     But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any one in this name."
18     So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19     But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;
20     for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."
21     And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all men praised God for what had happened.

Psalms: Psalm 118:1, 14-21
1     O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever!
14     The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
15     Hark, glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
16     the right hand of the LORD is exalted, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"
17     I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
18     The LORD has chastened me sorely, but he has not given me over to death.
19     Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
20     This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
21     I thank thee that thou hast answered me and hast become my salvation.

Gospel: Mark 16:9-15
9     Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.
10     She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11     But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
12     After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.
13     And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
14     Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.
15     And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
Blood that but one drop of has the power to win.......All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.

-- St. Thomas Aquinas

Friday, April 29, 2011 (Friday in the Octave of Easter)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 4:1-12
1     And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sad'ducees came upon them,
2     annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3     And they arrested them and put them in custody until the morrow, for it was already evening.
4     But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5     On the morrow their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem,
6     with Annas the high priest and Ca'iaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.
7     And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?"
8     Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,
9     if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed,
10     be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well.
11     This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner.
12     And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Psalms: Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27
1     O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever!
2     Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
4     Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
22     The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
23     This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24     This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25     Save us, we beseech thee, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech thee, give us success!
26     Blessed be he who enters in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27     The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar!

Gospel: John 21:1-14
1     After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe'ri-as; and he revealed himself in this way.
2     Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together.
3     Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing.
4     Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5     Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No."
6     He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish.
7     That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea.
8     But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
9     When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread.
10     Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught."
11     So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
12     Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.
13     Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.
14     This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
The Most Blessed Sacrament is Christ made visible. The poor sick person is Christ again made visible.

-- St. Gerard Majella

Thursday, April 28, 2011 (Thursday in the Octave of Easter)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 3:11-26
11     While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's, astounded.
12     And when Peter saw it he addressed the people, "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?
13     The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.
14     But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15     and killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
16     And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
17     "And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
18     But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.
19     Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
20     and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,
21     whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.
22     Moses said, `The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet from your brethren as he raised me up. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.
23     And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.'
24     And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came afterwards, also proclaimed these days.
25     You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers, saying to Abraham, `And in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'
26     God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness."

Psalms: Psalm 8:2, 5-9
2     by the mouth of babes and infants, thou hast founded a bulwark because of thy foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
5     Yet thou hast made him little less than God, and dost crown him with glory and honor.
6     Thou hast given him dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet,
7     all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
8     the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the sea.
9     O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth!

Gospel: Luke 24:35-48
35     Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
36     As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them.
37     But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit.
38     And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts?
39     See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have."
41     And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"
42     They gave him a piece of broiled fish,
43     and he took it and ate before them.
44     Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled."
45     Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,
46     and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
47     and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48     You are witnesses of these things.

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
I see in my neighbor the Person of Jesus Christ.

-- St. Gerard Majella

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 (Wednesday in the Octave of Easter)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 3:1-10
1     Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2     And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple.
3     Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms.
4     And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, "Look at us."
5     And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them.
6     But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
7     And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
8     And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
9     And all the people saw him walking and praising God,
10     and recognized him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Psalms: Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9
1     O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples!
2     Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works!
3     Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
4     Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his presence continually!
6     O offspring of Abraham his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
7     He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
8     He is mindful of his covenant for ever, of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
9     the covenant which he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
13     That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma'us, about seven miles from Jerusalem,
14     and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
15     While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.
16     But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17     And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.
18     Then one of them, named Cle'opas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19     And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20     and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21     But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened.
22     Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning
23     and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24     Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see."
25     And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26     Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"
27     And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28     So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further,
29     but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.
30     When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them.
31     And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32     They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?"
33     And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them,
34     who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"
35     Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind that sets bounds to the passions.
-- St. Thomas Aquinas

Tuesday, April 26, 2011 (Tuesday in the Octave of Easter)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 2:36-41
36     Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
37     Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"
38     And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39     For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him."
40     And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."
41     So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Psalms: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22
4     For the word of the LORD is upright; and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5     He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
18     Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19     that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine.
20     Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield.
22     Let thy steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in thee.

Gospel: John 20:11-18
11     But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb;
12     and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.
13     They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."
14     Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
15     Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."
16     Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rab-bo'ni!" (which means Teacher).
17     Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."
18     Mary Mag'dalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.    

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.
-- Lumen gentium 59

Monday, April 25, 2011 (Monday in the Octave of Easter)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33
14     But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.
22     "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know --
23     this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
24     But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
25     For David says concerning him, `I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26     therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope.
27     For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption.
28     Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.'
29     "Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30     Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,
31     he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
32     This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
33     Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear.

Psalms: Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
1     Preserve me, O God, for in thee I take refuge.
2     I say to the LORD, "Thou art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee."
5     The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot.
7     I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
8     I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9     Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure.
10     For thou dost not give me up to Sheol, or let thy godly one see the Pit.
11     Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15
8     So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
9     And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Hail!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
10     Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
11     While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place.
12     And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers
13     and said, "Tell people, `His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.'
14     And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."
15     So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.   

REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY
He who does not meditate acts as one who never looks into the mirror and so does not bother to put himself in order, since he can be dirty without knowing it. The person who meditates and turns his thoughts to God who is the mirror of the soul, seeks to know his defects and tries to correct them, moderates himself in his impulses and puts his conscience in order.

-- Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

Sunday, April 24, 2011 {Easter Sunday (Solemnity)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 10:34, 37-43
34      And Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality,
37     the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38     how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
39     And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree;
40     but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest;
41     not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42     And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
43     To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Psalms: Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
1      O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever!
2     Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
16     the right hand of the LORD is exalted, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"
17     I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
22     The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
23     This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Colossians 3:1-4
1      If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2     Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
3     For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4     When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

OR
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
6      Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
7     Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed.
8     Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Gospel: John 20:1-9
1      Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
2     So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."
3     Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb.
4     They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first;
5     and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
6     Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying,
7     and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself.
8     Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
9     for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY
Can the life of a good Christian be anything other than that of a man nailed to the Cross with Jesus Christ?

-- St. John Vianney

Saturday, April 23, 2011 (Holy Saturday Night: The Easter Vigil)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
    1) Genesis 1:1 - 2:2
1      In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2     The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.
3     And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
4     And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.
5     God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
6     And God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters."
7     And God made the firmament and separated the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And it was so.
8     And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.
9     And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so.
10     God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
11     And God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, upon the earth." And it was so.
12     The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
13     And there was evening and there was morning, a third day.
14     And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years,
15     and let them be lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so.
16     And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also.
17     And God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth,
18     to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
19     And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.
20     And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the firmament of the heavens."
21     So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
22     And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."
23     And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.
24     And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds." And it was so.
25     And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the cattle according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26      Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth."
27     So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
28     And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."
29     And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.
30     And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so.
31     And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

OR
Genesis 1:1, 26-31
1      In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
26     Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth."
27     So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
28     And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."
29     And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.
30     And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so.
31     And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35
1      Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, thou art very great! Thou art clothed with honor and majesty,
2     who coverest thyself with light as with a garment, who hast stretched out the heavens like a tent,
5     Thou didst set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be shaken.
6     Thou didst cover it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
12     By them the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches.
13     From thy lofty abode thou waterest the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy work.
14     Thou dost cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth,
24     O LORD, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy creatures.
35     Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

OR
Psalm 33:4-7, 12-13, 20-22
4      For the word of the LORD is upright; and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5     He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
6     By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth.
7     He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses.
12     Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
13     The LORD looks down from heaven, he sees all the sons of men;
20     Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield.
21     Yea, our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
22     Let thy steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in thee.

2) Genesis 22:1-18
1      After these things God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
2     He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Mori'ah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
3     So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; and he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
4     On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off.
5     Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the ass; I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you."
6     And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.
7     And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"
8     Abraham said, "God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.
9     When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.
10     Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11     But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
12     He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
13     And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
14     So Abraham called the name of that place The LORD will provide; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
15     And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven,
16     and said, "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son,
17     I will indeed bless you, and I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore. And your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies,
18     and by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves, because you have obeyed my voice."

OR
Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-181      After these things God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
2     He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Mori'ah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
9     When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.
10     Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11     But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
12     He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
13     And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
15     And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven,
16     and said, "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son,
17     I will indeed bless you, and I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore. And your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies,
18     and by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves, because you have obeyed my voice."

Psalm 16:5, 8-11
5      The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot.
8     I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9     Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure.
10     For thou dost not give me up to Sheol, or let thy godly one see the Pit.
11     Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

3) Exodus 14:15 --15:1
15      The LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.
16     Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go on dry ground through the sea.
17     And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen.
18     And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen."
19     Then the angel of God who went before the host of Israel moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them,
20     coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness; and the night passed without one coming near the other all night.
21     Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22     And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
23     The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24     And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down upon the host of the Egyptians, and discomfited the host of the Egyptians,
25     clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily; and the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel; for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians."
26     Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen."
27     So Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its wonted flow when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled into it, and the LORD routed the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28     The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen and all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not so much as one of them remained.
29     But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
30     Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore.
31     And Israel saw the great work which the LORD did against the Egyptians, and the people feared the LORD; and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.
Exodus 15:1
1      Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
(Ps) Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18
1      Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
2     The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
3     The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name.
4     "Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea; and his picked officers are sunk in the Red Sea.
5     The floods cover them; they went down into the depths like a stone.
6     Thy right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, thy right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.
17     Thou wilt bring them in, and plant them on thy own mountain, the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thy abode, the sanctuary, LORD, which thy hands have established.
18     The LORD will reign for ever and ever."

4) Isaiah 54:5-14
5      For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.
6     For the LORD has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God.
7     For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will gather you.
8     In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the LORD, your Redeemer.
9     "For this is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you.
10     For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
11     "O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
12     I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones.
13     All your sons shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the prosperity of your sons.
14     In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
2      O LORD my God, I cried to thee for help, and thou hast healed me.
4     Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
5     For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
6     As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."
11     Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
12     that my soul may praise thee and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to thee for ever.

5) Isaiah 55:1-11
1      "Ho, every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2     Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness.
3     Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
4     Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.
5     Behold, you shall call nations that you know not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
6     "Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near;
7     let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8     For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9     For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10     "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11     so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
(Ps) Isaiah 12:2-6
2     "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
3     With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4     And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name; make known his deeds among the nations, proclaim that his name is exalted.
5     "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.
6     Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."

6) Baruch 3:9-15, 32 - 4:4
9      Hear the commandments of life, O Israel; give ear, and learn wisdom!
10     Why is it, O Israel, why is it that you are in the land of your enemies, that you are growing old in a foreign country, that you are defiled with the dead,
11     that you are counted among those in Hades?
12     You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom.
13     If you had walked in the way of God, you would be dwelling in peace for ever.
14     Learn where there is wisdom, where there is strength, where there is understanding, that you may at the same time discern where there is length of days, and life, where there is light for the eyes, and peace.
15     Who has found her place? And who has entered her storehouses?
32     But he who knows all things knows her, he found her by his understanding. He who prepared the earth for all time filled it with four-footed creatures;
33     he who sends forth the light, and it goes, called it, and it obeyed him in fear;
34     the stars shone in their watches, and were glad; he called them, and they said, "Here we are!" They shone with gladness for him who made them.
35     This is our God; no other can be compared to him!
36     He found the whole way to knowledge, and gave her to Jacob his servant and to Israel whom he loved.
37     Afterward she appeared upon earth and lived among men.
Baruch 4: 1-4
1      She is the book of the commandments of God, and the law that endures for ever. All who hold her fast will live, and those who forsake her will die.
2     Turn, O Jacob, and take her; walk toward the shining of her light.
3     Do not give your glory to another, or your advantages to an alien people.
4     Happy are we, O Israel, for we know what is pleasing to God.
Psalm 19:8-11
8      the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9     the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
10     More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11     Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

7) Ezekiel 36:16-28
16      The word of the LORD came to me:
17     "Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their doings; their conduct before me was like the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity.
18     So I poured out my wrath upon them for the blood which they had shed in the land, for the idols with which they had defiled it.
19     I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries; in accordance with their conduct and their deeds I judged them.
20     But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that men said of them, `These are the people of the LORD, and yet they had to go out of his land.'
21     But I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel caused to be profaned among the nations to which they came.
22     "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.
23     And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations will know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
24     For I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land.
25     I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
26     A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
27     And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.
28     You shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Psalm 42:3, 5; Psalm 43:3-4 (Read when baptism is celebrated)
3     My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me continually, "Where is your God?"
5     Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help
Psalm 43:3-4
3      Oh send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me, let them bring me to thy holy hill and to thy dwelling!
4     Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise thee with the lyre, O God, my God.
(Ps) Isaiah 12:2-6
2      "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
3     With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4     And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name; make known his deeds among the nations, proclaim that his name is exalted.
5     "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.
6     Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
or Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19 (Read when baptism is not celebrated)
12      Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13     Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will return to thee.
14     Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of thy deliverance.
15     O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
18     Do good to Zion in thy good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
19     then wilt thou delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on thy altar.

8) Epistle: Romans 6:3-11
3      Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4     We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5     For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
6     We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.
7     For he who has died is freed from sin.
8     But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
9     For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
10     The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.
11     So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
1      O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever!
2     Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
16     the right hand of the LORD is exalted, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"
17     I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
22     The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
23     This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

9) Gospel: Mark 16:1-7
1      And when the sabbath was past, Mary Mag'dalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salo'me, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
2     And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen.
3     And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?"
4     And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; -- it was very large.
5     And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed.
6     And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him.
7     But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you."
REFLECTION FOR THE DAY
We confess that one and the same Christ, Lord, and only-begotten Son, is to be acknowledged in two natures without confusion, change, division or separation. The distinction between the natures was never abolished by their union, but rather the character proper to each of the two natures was preserved as they came together in one person (prosopon) and one hypostasis.

-- Council of Chalcedon

COUNTDOWN TO EASTER!!!!!!! 2 days to GO

Hurray, it's GOOD FRIDAY, THE PASSION OF OUR LORD!!!
just 2 days to go and for us to start saying Halleluya!!! again.

Saturday, April 23, 2011 (Holy Saturday Night: The Easter Vigil)

Saturday, April 23, 2011 (Holy Saturday Night: The Easter Vigil)

    1) Genesis 1:1 - 2:2 or Genesis 1:1, 26-31
Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35 or Psalm 33:4-7, 12-13, 20-22

2) Genesis 22:1-18 or Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18
Psalm 16:5, 8-11

3) Exodus 14:15 --15:1
(Ps) Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18

4) Isaiah 54:5-14
Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13

5) Isaiah 55:1-11
(Ps) Isaiah 12:2-6

6) Baruch 3:9-15, 32 - 4:4
Psalm 19:8-11

7) Ezekiel 36:16-28
Psalm 42:3, 5; Psalm 43:3-4 (Read when baptism is celebrated)
(Ps) Isaiah 12:2-6 or Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19 (Read when baptism is not celebrated)

8) Epistle: Romans 6:3-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

9) Gospel: Mark 16:1-7

We confess that one and the same Christ, Lord, and only-begotten Son, is to be acknowledged in two natures without confusion, change, division or separation. The distinction between the natures was never abolished by their union, but rather the character proper to each of the two natures was preserved as they came together in one person (prosopon) and one hypostasis.

-- Council of Chalcedon


the detailed readings are above

Friday, April 22, 2011 (Good Friday)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Isaiah 52:13 -- 53:12
13     Behold, my servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.
14     As many were astonished at him -- his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men --
15     so shall he startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they shall see, and that which they have not heard they shall understand.
1     Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2     For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
3     He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4     Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5     But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.
6     All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7     He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
8     By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
9     And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10     Yet it was the will of the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand;
11     he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities.
12     Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Psalms: Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25
2     Incline thy ear to me, rescue me speedily! Be thou a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!
6     Thou hatest those who pay regard to vain idols; but I trust in the LORD.
12     I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13     Yea, I hear the whispering of many -- terror on every side! -- as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
15     My times are in thy hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors!
16     Let thy face shine on thy servant; save me in thy steadfast love!
17     Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call on thee; let the wicked be put to shame, let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.

Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
14     Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15     For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16     Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
7     In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear.
8     Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;
9     and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

Gospel:    John 18:1 -- 19:42
1     When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.
2     Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
3     So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4     Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?"
5     They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
6     When he said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
7     Again he asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
8     Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go."
9     This was to fulfil the word which he had spoken, "Of those whom thou gavest me I lost not one."
10     Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus.
11     Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?"
12     So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him.
13     First they led him to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Ca'iaphas, who was high priest that year.
14     It was Ca'iaphas who had given counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15     Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the high priest along with Jesus,
16     while Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door, and brought Peter in.
17     The maid who kept the door said to Peter, "Are not you also one of this man's disciples?" He said, "I am not."
18     Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves; Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
19     The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20     Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together; I have said nothing secretly.
21     Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me, what I said to them; they know what I said."
22     When he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?"
23     Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?"
24     Annas then sent him bound to Ca'iaphas the high priest.
25     Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, "Are not you also one of his disciples?" He denied it and said, "I am not."
26     One of the servants of the high priest, a kinsman of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?"
27     Peter again denied it; and at once the cock crowed.
28     Then they led Jesus from the house of Ca'iaphas to the praetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter the praetorium, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.
29     So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?"
30     They answered him, "If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over."
31     Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death."
32     This was to fulfil the word which Jesus had spoken to show by what death he was to die.
33     Pilate entered the praetorium again and called Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
34     Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?"
35     Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?"
36     Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world."
37     Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice."
38     Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again, and told them, "I find no crime in him.
39     But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover; will you have me release for you the King of the Jews?"
40     They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barab'bas!" Now Barab'bas was a robber.

JOHN 19: 1-42
1     Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him.
2     And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe;
3     they came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands.
4     Pilate went out again, and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you, that you may know that I find no crime in him."
5     So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"
6     When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him."
7     The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God."
8     When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid;
9     he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave no answer.
10     Pilate therefore said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?"
11     Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin."
12     Upon this Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend; every one who makes himself a king sets himself against Caesar."
13     When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gab'batha.
14     Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!"
15     They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."
16     Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.
17     So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Gol'gotha.
18     There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
19     Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
20     Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.
21     The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, "Do not write, `The King of the Jews,' but, `This man said, I am King of the Jews.'"
22     Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."
23     When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom;
24     so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfil the scripture, "They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots."
25     So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene.
26     When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"
27     Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
28     After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), "I thirst."
29     A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth.
30     When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31     Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32     So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him;
33     but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
34     But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
35     He who saw it has borne witness -- his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth -- that you also may believe.
36     For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, "Not a bone of him shall be broken."
37     And again another scripture says, "They shall look on him whom they have pierced."
38     After this Joseph of Arimathe'a, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body.
39     Nicode'mus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight.
40     They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
41     Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid.
42     So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY
Unless you strive after virtues and practice them, you will never grow to be more than dwarfs.

-- St. Theresa of Avila

Thursday, April 21, 2011 (Holy Thursday Evening – Mass of the Lord's Supper)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
The Easter Triduum
First Reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
1      The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,
2     "This month shall be for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you.
3     Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month they shall take every man a lamb according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household;
4     and if the household is too small for a lamb, then a man and his neighbor next to his house shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.
5     Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old; you shall take it from the sheep or from the goats;
6     and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs in the evening.
7     Then they shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them.
8     They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.
11     In this manner you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's passover.
12     For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.
13     The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
14     "This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as an ordinance for ever.

Psalms: Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18
12      What shall I render to the LORD for all his bounty to me?
13     I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,
15     Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16     O LORD, I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid. Thou hast loosed my bonds.
17     I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.
18     I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23      For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
24     and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
25     In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
26     For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Gospel: John 13:1-15
1      Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2     And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,
3     Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God,
4     rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel.
5     Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
6     He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"
7     Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand."
8     Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part in me."
9     Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!"
10     Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not every one of you."
11     For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, "You are not all clean."
12     When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?
13     You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.
14     If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
15     For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.    

REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY
After you have made a decision that is pleasing to God, the Devil may try to make you have second thoughts. Intensify your prayer time, meditation, and good deeds. For if Satan's temptations merely cause you to increase your efforts to grow in holiness, he'll have an incentive to leave you alone.

-- St. Ignatius of Loyola

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 (Wednesday of Holy Week)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9
4      The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him that is weary. Morning by morning he wakens, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
5     The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward.
6     I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
7     For the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been confounded; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8     he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.
9     Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

Psalms: Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34
8      I have become a stranger to my brethren, an alien to my mother's sons.
9     For zeal for thy house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult thee have fallen on me.
10     When I humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.
21     They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
22     Let their own table before them become a snare; let their sacrificial feasts be a trap.
31     This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
33     For the LORD hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds.
34     Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves therein.

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25
14      Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
15     and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.
16     And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
17     Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the passover?"
18     He said, "Go into the city to a certain one, and say to him, `The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples.'"
19     And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the passover.
20     When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples;
21     and as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."
22     And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?"
23     He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will betray me.
24     The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."
25     Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Is it I, Master?" He said to him, "You have said so."    

REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY
You go to pray; to become a bonfire, a living flame, giving light and heat.
-- St Josemaria Escriva