Cut to the heart

Greetings on this the Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Readings: Acts 2:36-41; PS 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22; Jn 20:11-18
Notes: In today’s readings the Resurrection of Jesus Christ has two distinct effects.

• For those who opposed him and approved of his execution, a heart cut by sin.
• For those who loved Jesus and did not yet know he is risen, a heart pierced by love.
• In all cases, Jesus await the embrace of love.

First Case
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,
and they asked Peter and the other Apostles,
“What are we to do, my brothers?”

Repent and be baptized.

Second Case
Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping.
And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb
and saw two angels in white sitting there,
one at the head and one at the feet
where the Body of Jesus had been.
And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “They have taken my Lord,
and I don’t know where they laid him.”

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me (out of fear).

• He is Risen.
• He will always be Risen.
• You have me forever, Mary Magdalene.

The Pentecost theme continues in the Octave of Easter.

First reading
On the day of Pentecost (this fragment is a gloss of verse 1, that is a continuation phrase).

We use this technique often in Pauline letters where each teaching portion begins with Brothers and Sisters.

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 will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is made to you and to your children
and to all those far off,
whomever the Lord our God will call.”

Responsorial Psalm
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.

Alleluia Verse
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.

Gospel Portion
Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”
which means Teacher.
Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me,
for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
But go to my brothers and tell them,
‘I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.’”
Mary went and announced to the disciples,
“I have seen the Lord,”
and then reported what he had told her.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry