2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY) YEAR C

Theme: Faith and fellowship

 

1^st Reading: Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 5: 12-16

The early church witnessed a good number of miracles. In addition, the bond of fellowship among the brethren was so outstanding that it did not take long for more and more people to be drawn to the Lord.

 

2^nd Reading: Revelation, Chapter 1: 9-11a, 12-13 and 17-19

John puts his mission as the recorder or writer of the Revelation into perspective. It is clear from his vision that Jesus is the one who lives forever.

 

Gospel Reading: John, Chapter 20: 19 -31

Jesus greets his disciples with the peace offering and breathes the Holy Spirit on them to empower them. Christ’s words to Thomas, “Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed,” underscores the importance of faith in the life of the Christian.

EASTER SUNDAY

Theme: The Lord has indeed risen

1^st Reading: The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 10: 34a, 37-43

Peter’s homily summarises the Gospel: Jesus’ perfect life of servanthood, his death on the cross, his resurrection, his fulfillment of the scriptures, and the need for each of us to have personal faith in him for our salvation.

2^nd Reading: Colossians, Chapter 3: 1-4

The implication of having been resurrected with Christ is that we should no longer be preoccupied with the petty things of this life; rather, we should focus on our heavenly inheritance.

OR

2^nd Reading: 1 Corinthians, Chapter 5: 6b-8

St. Paul challenges us to celebrate Christ’s resurrection with a new mindset based on Christ-like morals.

 

Gospel Reading: John, Chapter 20: 1-9

Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter and the other disciple must have rushed to the tomb with mixed feelings. They found out, as we also do by faith, that Christ is risen!

OR

Gospel Reading: Luke, Chapter 24: 1-12

The women were puzzled when they saw an empty tomb, and the disciples initially expressed doubts about the good news of the resurrection. Today, the resurrected Christ lives among us, as he prophesied he would.

COMMENTARY ON THE READINGS: GOOD FRIDAY YEAR C

Theme: We have a great High Priest

 

1^st Reading: Isaiah, chapter 52: 13 to chapter 53: 12

The Lord’s servant was despised, rejected and maltreated. He was innocent, but had to suffer and die to save you and me from damnation. God rewarded him with his own eternal glory.

 

2^nd Reading: Letter of Paul to the Hebrews, chapter 4: 14 – 16, and chapter 5: 7 – 9

Jesus Christ, our High Priest, is able to stand by us and defend us because he has been this way before and knows our weaknesses. We can confidently approach him, and ask for mercy.

 

 

GOSPEL: THE PASSION OF OUR LORD, ACCORDING TO JOHN

COMMENTARY ON THE READINGS: HOLY THURSDAY

                    Theme: Love one another

 

1^st Reading: Exodus, chapter 12: 1 – 8, 11 – 14

God instituted the Passover Feast as a memorial to celebrate the freedom from slavery of his people. Christians today acknowledge the event as the antecedent to our deliverance from sin by the Blood of Jesus.

 

2^nd Reading: 1^st letter of Paul to the Corinthians, chapter 11:     23 – 26

The Eucharistic celebration enables the faithful to join hands with our ancestors in the faith to celebrate our redemption from sin.

 

Gospel Reading:  John, chapter 13: 1 – 15

Jesus, the Lord, washed the feet of his disciples, and charged them to do the same. This action is to prove the point that we must love one another.

PASSION SUNDAY (PALM SUNDAY), YEAR C

Theme: Death and life

 

1^st Reading: Isaiah, chapter 50: 4-7

This scripture describes the nature of the ideal servant of God. We hear how well-intentioned his thoughts are, and also how he humbly bears the suffering that sometimes goes with his nature.

 

2^nd Reading: Letter of Paul to the Philippians, chapter 2: 6-11

St Paul entreats us to adopt Jesus’ attitude of humility, a character trait that earned him God’s approval and a name that is above all other names.

 

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

 

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD, ACCORDING TO LUKE

5TH SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C

Theme: Racing to grasp the prize

 

1^st Reading: Isaiah, chapter 43: 16-21

This scripture admonishes us not to dwell on the past, even if we saw God’s hand at work in our lives. The same mighty God is doing something totally new in our lives. Our duty is to remain optimistic.

 

2^nd Reading: Letter of Paul to the Philippians, chapter 3: 8-14

St Paul summarises his personal convictions in the statement that all he had achieved so far was nothing, compared to the reward that awaits him. Paul’s values should spur us on towards our heavenly goal.

 

Gospel Reading: John, chapter 8: 1-11

Jesus offers an opportunity to the Pharisees and all of us, to mend our ways. His words to the woman: “Go, and sin no more”, should forever ring in our hearts, and remain etched in our minds.