The Lord is risen: Alleluia!

How to navigate the Easter readings as we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord

“The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.” — John 20:6-9

For the Scripture reflections this week, with so many rich and diverse readings for the celebration of Easter, the best way forward as a guide would be to give some brief pointers and directions for all the readings. Hopefully, these can help us to navigate through all the amazing richness in our readings as we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord!

A common theme in the readings is to show the fact of the Resurrection of Jesus, but also to explore what this fact really means for us. At the same time, our readings take us on a journey that narrates the whole history of our salvation: we hear of the wonderful things that God has done for us. This is not just some sort of extended history lesson, but rather the intention is to give a clear sense of our identity. Many folks like to investigate their family tree so as to know who they are and where they have come from. This too is a purpose in all of our Vigil readings, as the story of God’s covenant with His people and so of who we are unfolds. So, at the Easter Vigil (called by St. Augustine “the mother of all Vigils”) we can hear up to seven Old Testament readings that narrate our family history. The words are real and living words about God’s love and they are fulfilled now, especially for those who are to be baptized; but they are also a powerful and moving reminder to those already baptized.

We hear the story of creation (Genesis 1:1-2:2) and we can wonder at the gift of creation. It also reminds us of the even more wonderful new creation that we are in Christ, through baptism. Next, we fast forward to Abraham (Genesis 22:1-18) who obeys God’s call to sacrifice his only and beloved son, Isaac. But instead, God himself provides a ram for the sacrifice. This will be true when Jesus, the beloved and only begotten Son and the Lamb of God, is sacrificed for us. Then we hear of how Moses led Israel through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:15-15:1) and how the people were saved from slavery and death. Salvation from slavery to sin and death will come to us through the waters, not of the Red Sea, but of baptism. Two passages from the prophet Isaiah tell us first how God promises to restore His people (Isaiah 54:1-14) and bring about a new covenant (fulfilled. of course, in Jesus Christ, the new covenant). In the second passage, we see how God freely feeds His people and that all are called to feast (Isaiah 55:1-11): We too are called to be fed by God’s Word and the Eucharist. Our sixth reading is from the prophet Baruch (Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4:4). He speaks of the creative and efficacious power of God’s wisdom: the same wisdom that guides us today. In the seventh reading (Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28), God promises a “new spirit and a new heart:” this promise is fulfilled through the many gifts of baptism where we are indeed made wholly new.

The Epistle (Romans 6:3-11) provides a summary of all that we have just heard; especially how, in baptism, we die and rise with Christ Jesus to new life. The psalm (Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23) is a classic Easter psalm (used again on Easter Sunday) and also doubles up as our Gospel acclamation. It rejoices in God’s mercy and love and sings of how the “stone rejected by the builders has become the corner stone.” For Christians, of course, this stone is taken to refer to Jesus Christ. We then hear the Easter Gospel (Matthew 28:1-10) in which Matthew, as ever, wants to be very clear and precise about the details of the empty tomb and the resurrection, so as to prove the fact of the event. The witnesses on that Easter morning not only see all this, but, just as importantly, they immediately give witness to it. And, of course, we too are called to believe and to give witness to the resurrection in our lives.

A brief, final word about the readings for Mass during the day for Easter Sunday. In our First Reading (Acts 10: 34a, 37-43), St. Peter is in the house of a new disciple of Jesus called Cornelius (a Roman centurion) and Peter gives a summary of our faith. It is another reminder too of the importance of being disciple-makers: the task of the Church! There is a choice for the Second Reading. In the Letter to the Colossians (3:1-4), we hear of the promise of glory made possible in Jesus’ resurrection. The alternative (1 Corinthians 5:6b-8) uses another image, not of a stone, but of yeast: we celebrate with the new yeast of sincerity and truth. We could say that as we receive the Eucharist, we become like the one we receive! The Gospel (John 20:1-9) stresses the fact of the empty tomb, the haste of the disciples to see and the importance of faith. The punchline of the Gospel is that: “they saw and believed,” even though they still did not understand. Once again, we too are called to be witnesses and to be so with urgency.