Easter Saturday
Weekday liturgy (Year 2) — White
1st Reading
Acts 4:13-21
Lectio (Reading)
Observing the boldness of Peter and John
and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men,
the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed,
and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus.
Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them,
they could say nothing in reply.
So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin,
and conferred with one another, saying,
“What are we to do with these men?
Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign
was done through them, and we cannot deny it.
But so that it may not be spread any further among the people,
let us give them a stern warning
never again to speak to anyone in this name.”
So they called them back
and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Peter and John, however, said to them in reply,
“Whether it is right in the sight of God
for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges.
It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”
After threatening them further,
they released them,
finding no way to punish them,
on account of the people who were all praising God
for what had happened.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 118:1, 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21
Lectio (Reading)
R. (21a) I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“The right hand of the LORD is exalted;
the right hand of the LORD has struck with power.”
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.
Though the LORD has indeed chastised me,
yet he has not delivered me to death.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
2nd Reading
Gospel Reading
Mark 16:9-15
Lectio (Reading)
When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week,
he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
out of whom he had driven seven demons.
She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.
When they heard that he was alive
and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another form
to two of them walking along on their way to the country.
They returned and told the others;
but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them
and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart
because they had not believed those
who saw him after he had been raised.
He said to them, “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Meditatio (Reflecting)
When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
Oratio (Responding)
The stories of Jesus’ appearance after His ressurection are all slightly different among the gospels. But they all have one thing in common, He appears to the women first. Many church fathers even (while it is not said in the bible) piously contend that Jesus appeared to his Mother first, in private, before He appeared to anyone else. This is not a dogmatic belief in the church but it is fitting, and makes sense that a good son would honor His mother in this way.
But in any case the women of the gospels, are often called the apostles to the apostles, because they announce the news to the men. This is a revolutionary thing, that most people in the modern world (of women’s equality), often fail to recognize. The Jewish and christian cultures were both unique in the anchient world, because they raised women to prominence, where other cultures and communities, treated women as property, and did not consider their opinion or input on anything. The judeo/christian God has done more for women and their quality of life than any civil rights worker, or suffragette. This fact is often lost on most modern minds, but the truth of it is undeniable.
Jesus on many occasions singled out women to be his indirect disciples. The woman caught in adultery (Mary Magdelene), Mary and Martha, the woman at the well, and lets never forget his mother, the greatest and most perfect disciple He ever had. There is a humorous anecdote that illustrates the point. It goes like this…, We the faithful of the church are the body of christ, Jesus is the the head, and Mary is the neck, because she moves the head and points the way. The wedding at cana is a good example, Mary simply says “they have no wine,” and then looks at the attendants, and says “do whatever He tells you.” Jesus always does what He thinks is best, but Mary points Him to the things that need his attention. Beautiful!
God always knew that both men and woman had great gifts to offer the world, and he gave them the place and stature they needed to contribute to the story of salvation. This is a really important lesson for us all to remember, especially today. Men and women both have great contributions to make in bringing Gods kingdom to fruition in this world, men should not try to do the things of women, and women should not try to do the things of men. The greatest happiness for all comes from our own full participation in our indiviual response to God’s call for our lives. When we all work together, living in the divine will for our lives, we create a beautiful harmony, a symphony of goodness. This is what God wants for us, we should strive to make it happen.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.
Resolutio (Resolving)
Oh lord, help me today to hear the truth that you want to tell me today, no matter whom it may come from, and help me to honor the women in my life for the wonderful contribution they bring to my life and your kingdom. Amen.