Mark’s Gospel offers three different occasions where the Risen Lord appeared to fourteen disciples: Mary Magdalene, Two on the road to Emmaus and the Eleven Apostles. In these encounters we see our own human need for the time and effort necessary to grow in our faith.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the Octave of Easter
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The first reading reveals the transformation to St. Peter as the resurrection of Christ takes hold of his heart. Casting aside doubt and fear, Peter proclaims the Good News in the face of persecution and trial…reminding us that as disciples we can draw upon the same strength today.
Mass Readings – Friday of the Octave of Easter
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The readings today reveal the power of the resurrection to transform hearts and equip disciples to proclaim the Good News. Like the first Apostles, we have an opportunity every day to draw strength from the Lord for the task at hand.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the Octave of Easter
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Peter and John show how the name of Jesus brings hope and life to a beggar. Following their example, we offer our lives today as a living witness to the power of God in the world.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the Octave of Easter
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Both Peter and Mary Magdalene reveal how Christ’s resurrection transforms our human weakness and empowers us for service in the world. We, too, are called to receive the grace of Easter into our hearts as the Lord takes the gift of our lives and equips us to proclaim the Good News.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the Octave of Easter
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Beyond the agony of the Cross and the sorrow of the Tomb on that first day of the week the message was proclaimed: He’s Alive!
And everything changes. This group of disciples – bound by fear and selfishness – are transformed with a new strength and conviction. Their encounter with the Risen Lord will empower them to face the obstacles of this world with joy and hope. They have seen the risen Christ…what is there to fear? They have embraced the one who has conquered sin and death – there is NOTHING that can shake their confidence in the light of Easter morning.
This same strength comes to us. Like the first disciples, we can turn to Jesus and allow his saving grace to renew us with a strength far beyond our own. We can claim a hope that sustains us in the midst of our challenges and struggles. The Easter sunrise brings light to the darkest corners of our hearts.
What in our lives needs to be touched by Jesus Christ? We are invited to boldly come forward, receive his resurrection strength, and face whatever this world presents with confidence: the victory of Christ enlivens us to travel through life with the conviction that the grace he gave his disciples continues in our hearts today.
May this Easter season be a time of transformation and renewal; a time where we embrace the gift of our lives with a new freedom and conviction. In the light of this Easter, may we follow the one who leads us from sin and death to the abundance of life…in this world, and the world to come.
Happy Easter!
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We join the Church around the world as we wait in hope for the resurrection of the Lord. This extraordinary Mass empowers us to look at the challenges in our lives with the conviction that God will give us the grace we need for the task at hand.
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Today the world stands silent at the foot of the Cross. Only the unconditional love of God could remedy human sin, and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ gives us hope for eternal life.
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We begin the Sacred Triduum with the solemn gathering around the altar. Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, we are strengthened by God’s grace for service in the world.
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The Passover meal is prepared, the disciples are gathered around Jesus, and with sorrow the Lord announces that a betrayer is in their midst. The point? There is no spin or sugar coating salvation history as we embark on the Sacred Triduum. For in the midst of human darkness and sin, the Son of God will shine the light of grace upon our world.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of Holy Week
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