Greetings on this the Monday in the Octave of Easter
Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; Matthew 28:8-15
Summary
Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;
bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.
- Victimae paschali laudes
Reflection
Our sacred readings in the next weeks is the story of the continuous realization (revelation) of what Jesus has accomplished and how wonderful our redeemer is.
Today – our central thought – A Lamb the sheep redeems. Our Brother, he became one of us, is both the sacrificial lamb and a member of the body to be redeemed (without sin but in sympathy). In his resurrection the psalmist promise becomes ours to hold.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
Personal Reflection
We are called to be one with all—
in reconciliation,
in compassion,
in love.
Whatever state of life we encounter—
even those we may find difficult or unsettling—
is not a barrier to charity.
We are to be with one another,
without sin,
but never without love.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040626.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry