Welcome to our Bible Study

Easter Sunday

March 31, 2013

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgyAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Forwarded by Br. Hiasintus Sinaga, OFMCap

1st reading: Acts 10,34a.37-43• 34a Peter addressed the people in these words "I take

it to know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and (in) Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. 40 This man God raised (on) the third day and granted that he be visible, 41 not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."

The focus is on the resurrection of Christ.

1st Reading: Acts 10,34a.37-43The Kerygma: The Christ-Event• 34a Peter addressed the people in these words "I take it to know what has

happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached,

Baptism of Jesus• 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. Ministry of Jesus• He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God

was with him. 39 We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and (in) Jerusalem.

Death of Jesus• They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. Resurrection of Jesus• 40 This man God raised (on) the third day Appearances of Jesus• and granted that he be visible, 41 not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses

chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

Kerygma: Commissioning of the apostles to preach: forgiveness to those who believe

• 42 He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."

A simple outline!

Textual Context of Acts 10,34a.37-43

I. 1,1—5:42 The Church in Jerusalem

II. 6,1—12,25 The Church into the Hellenistic World

III. 13,1—15,35 Antioch-based mission of Paul and Barnabas

IV. 15,35—19,20 Paul’s mission to Asia Minor and Greece.

V. 19,21—28,31 Paul a prisoner

1st Reading: Acts 10,34a.37-43The Kerygma: The Christ-Event• 34a Peter addressed the people in these

words "I take it to know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached,

Baptism of Jesus• 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth

with the holy Spirit and power. Ministry of Jesus• He went about doing good and healing all

those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and (in) Jerusalem.

Death of Jesus• They put him to death by hanging him on a

tree. Resurrection of Jesus• 40 This man God raised (on) the third day Appearances of Jesus• and granted that he be visible, 41 not to all

the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

Commissioning of the apostles to preach: forgiveness to those who believe

• 42 He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."

Commentary

V.34a speaks of Peter’s preaching (kerygma) after the resurrection of Jesus.

Vv.38-43 constitute the contents of Peter’s preaching.

The contents are:

Baptism of Jesus, v.38

Ministry of Jesus (doing good and healing, exorcism), v.38; in Galilee (country of the Jews) and in Jerusalem (Judea), v.39

Crucifixion and death, v.39

Resurrection by the power of God, v.40

Appearances to the apostles who ate and drank with him, v.41

Commissioning to preach (kerygma) focusing on Jesus as judge of the living and dead; v.42 forgiveness to those who believe. V.43

Reflections on the 1st reading• Like Peter, we must be bold in our preaching

(kerygma).• Our preaching must be centered on the person

of Jesus (passion, death and resurrection). • We Christians must preach God’s Word and be

witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, because we too have been baptized.

• Baptism is the start of our mission.• Without mission, we renege our baptism.• In the New Evangelization, we must employ all

means (new ways) to tell the world, esp. the youth, that Christ is the source of salvation and joy.

Resp. Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

• R. (24) This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,for his mercy endures forever.2 Let the house of Israel say,“His mercy endures forever.”

• 16 “The right hand of the LORD has struck with power;the right hand of the LORD is exalted.17 I shall not die, but live,and declare the works of the LORD.”

• 22 The stone which the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone.23 By the LORD has this been done;it is wonderful in our eyes.

Resp. Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23• R. (24) This is the day the Lord

has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,for his mercy endures forever.2 Let the house of Israel say,“His mercy endures forever.”

• 16 “The right hand of the LORD has struck with power;the right hand of the LORD is exalted.17 I shall not die, but live,and declare the works of the LORD.”

• 22 The stone which the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone.23 By the LORD has this been done;it is wonderful in our eyes.

Commentary• The response, v.24, is very

popular and is put into songs.• Vv.1-2 exhort all to thank God

for his enduring mercy.• V.16 attests God showing his

power.• As a result, the psalmist lives

(to be appropriated by Jesus later) and declares his wonders. V.17

• Vv.22 describes what Jesus has become (a cornerstone, a very important part of a structure).

• V.23 evaluates what happened to Jesus as good and wonderful.

Reflections on the Psalm

• God is merciful to those who are victimized.• He saves them from total destruction or death.• He can make them useful again.• Don’t panic if you are being tried.• You will emerge stronger after you endure

everything.• Learn to persevere.

2nd reading: Colossians 3,1-4

• 1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

The focus is on being raised with Christ (our own resurrection).

Textual Context Colossians 3,1-4Outline by PerkinsGreeting (1,1-2)Thanksgiving: Faith, Hope and love of the community (1,3-8)The exalted Christ as source of our heavenly salvation (1:15-2:23)Prayer for the Well-being of the community (1,9-14)

The exalted Christ as source of our heavenly salvation (1,15—2,23)(a) Hymn to Christ as image of God and Savior (1:15-20)(b) Apostle's ministry reveals God's salvation (1:21-2:7)(c) Against those who preach a false salvation based on "angelic worship" (2:8-23)

Living the Christian life (3:1-4:6) (a) Holiness manifests the "new creation" which Christians have become in baptism (3:1-17) (b) "Household code": Behavior of wives and husbands, children and fathers, slaves and masters (3:18-4:1) (c) Continue in prayer and wise conduct toward outsiders (4:2-6)

Concluding greetings (4:7-18) (a) Tychicus and Onesimus will report on what has happened to Paul (4:7-9) (b) Greetings from associates of Paul (4:10-14) (c) Greetings to those at Laodicea and instructions for an exchange of letters between churches (4:15-18)

Colossae

2nd reading: Colossians 3,1-4• 1 If then you were

raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

Commentary• Paul (or some other author, a disciple of Paul, who

came much later), reflects on the mystery of the resurrection.

• V.1 presumes baptism as rising with Christ and urges the baptized Christian to go up higher in his value system (seek what is above).

• V.2 reinforces this idea. The Christian must not get stuck with what is earthly (worldly).

• In v.3, the author says that to be raised is to die to the world and to live in God.

• V.4 says that at the end times, the Christian will also appear in glory like Jesus, that is, if he is faithful to his baptismal vows.

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd reading reading

• The resurrection of Christ brings us about our own resurrection.

• We must be consistent in living our new life brought about by our baptism.

• Christians should no longer seek security and comfort in material things.

• By now, we must have higher values.• Baptized Christians must now live in God’s

mystery, not in sin.

Gospel reading: John 20,1-9• 1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to

the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him." 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

The focus is on the resurrection of Jesus.

Gospel reading: John 20,1-9Mary of Madala and initial assessment• 1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb

early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."

Peter and John (whom Jesus loved)• 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4

They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.

John saw and believed • 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the

tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

A simple outline!

Gospel reading: John 20,1-9Mary of Madala and initial assessment• 1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb

early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."

Peter and John (whom Jesus loved)• 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4

They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.

John saw and believed • 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the

tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

A simple outline!

Take note of the running.

Gospel reading: John 20,1-9Mary of Madala and initial assessment• 1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb

early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."

Peter and John (whom Jesus loved)• 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4

They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.

John saw and believed • 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the

tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

A simple outline!

Take note also of the coming and going in / out.

Textual Context of John 20,1-9BOOK OF SIGNS: JESUS REVEALS THE FATHER

(Chapters 1-12)

Prologue (1:1-18)Gathering disciples (1:19-4:54)(a) Jesus as messiah, Son of God, Son of Man (1:19-51)(b) Miracle at Cana: Jesus' glory (2:1-12)(c) First Passover: Cleansing of the temple (2:13-25)(d) Nicodemus: Rebirth from heaven (3:1-21)(e) Judea: Jesus and John the Baptist (3:22-4:3)(f) Samaritan woman: Water of life (4:4-42)(g) Healing official's son: Second Cana sign (4:43-54)Disputes: Jesus' True Identity (5:1-12:50)(a) Healing cripple: Son is like the Father (5:1-47)(b) Feeding five thousand: Son is bread of life (6:1-70)(c) Tabernacles discourse: Light of the world (7:1-52)(d) Divine I AM: Jesus greater than Abraham (8:12-59)(e) Healing blind man: Walk in the true light (9:1-41)(f) Jesus' sheep: True shepherd (10:1-42)(g) Raising Lazarus: Jesus gives life to the world (11:1-

44)(h) Officials decide to kill Jesus (11:45-54)(i) Mary anoints Jesus (12:1-11)(j) Jesus' final public appearances in Jerusalem (12:12-

50)

BOOK OF GLORY: JESUS RETURNS TO THE FATHER (Chapters 13-21)

At the Last Supper (13:1-17:26)(a) Footwashing: Example of service (13:1-30)(b) First discourse: Jesus' presence with

disciples (13:31-14:31)(c) Second discourse: Remain on the true vine

(15:1-16:4a)(d) Third discourse: Paraclete to console

disciples (16:4b-33)(e) Fourth discourse: Jesus' prayer of unity

(17:1-26)Passion of Jesus (18:1-19:42)Resurrection of Jesus (20:1-21:25)(a) Empty tomb (20:1-10)(b) Appears to Mary Magdalene (20:11-18)(c) Appears to disciples at meals (20:19-29)(d) First ending to the gospel (20:30-31)(e) Appears by the sea in Galilee (21:1-23)(f) Second ending to the gospel (21:24-25)

Gospel: John 20,1-9Mary of Madala and initial assessment• 1 On the first day of the week, Mary of

Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."

Peter and John (whom Jesus loved)• 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out

and came to the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.

John saw and believed • 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the

one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Commentary

In vv.1-2, the evangelist reports that a woman, Mary of Magdala, comes to the tomb, early in the morning. After seeing the stone covering had been removed, she runs to report to Peter and John.

Her assessment: “They have taken him away…”

Peter and John believes in the report of Mary of Magdala and go out and comes to the tomb. They both run. Why do they run? (We have fast moving action this time.)

In v.5, John sees cloths that covered his head; In v.6 Peter sees the burial cloths. What does this mean?

Vv.8-9 bring out the most important point of the text. “He saw and believed.” Now they know what resurrection from the dead means.

Reflections on the gospel readingReflections on the gospel reading• We Christians are catechized to believe in

Christ’s resurrection.• Effortless we have come to believe in this

mystery.• But as Christians or Catholics, we come to

appreciate more the meaning of the Lord’s resurrection if we study the Bible.

• We can live more meaningfully our faith through further catechism, sound theology and ongoing formation and participation in the life and mission of the Church.

• In this Year of Faith, we are supposed to transmit our faith in the Risen Lord.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

• The first reading is the preaching of Peter (kerygma) which finds its climax in the resurrection of Jesus.

• The psalm prefigures the resurrection of Jesus.• The second reading encourages Christians to

live according to their new dignity, as they too have resurrected (through baptism).

• The gospel reading encourages Christians to live the resurrection (the first Christian fun run).

How to develop your homily and sharing

• The preacher or catechist is obliged to develop the theological meaning of the resurrection of the Lord.

• He/she may pay attention a little bit to the customs and traditions of the parish (community) like the salubong, but he/she should not lose track of the meaning of the resurrection.

• The preaching must center on the meaning of the resurrection based on our readings today.

• There are lots of texts about the resurrection of Jesus, but here we must prioritize what today’s readings are telling us.

• Based on the first reading, the fact/belief of the resurrection makes the believer remember what Jesus had done (teaching and healing).

• The faith in the resurrection reminds us of our responsibility to proclaim the mystery and to be active and living witnesses to the resurrected Christ, like Peter and the apostles.

• We don’t just believe. we must exert effort, mentally, physically and psychologically, to proclaim the good news of the resurrection.

• The New Evangelization is nothing else than the old proclamation of the Risen Lord (kerygma of the apostles) with new vigor, enthusiasm and understandable forms.

• The second reading challenges us, believers of the resurrected Christ, to pay attention to heavenly values.

• Christian believers are supposed to seek higher values, like sharing of gifts, deep spirituality, prayer life, communion, intimacy with God, truth, justice, peace, etc.

• Lower values are the world’s values: money, prestige, power, narcissism (just beautifying oneself, improving one’s external image), vanity, consumerism, gimmicks, tasting all kinds of things, competing for best positions, conquering the other, rakrakan, etc.

• Don’t sacrifice prayer and mass on Sundays and other days, in favor of money, work and leisure.

• Come on, live, in your resurrected (redeemed) bodies. Don’t live as if you were still dead (no movement, no joy, no responsibility).

• The gospel reading tells us, disciples, that the resurrection of Jesus brings about new movements in our communities.

• Talks about sufferings and death are relativized by Jesus’ resurrection.

• With the resurrection of Christ, we have a new topic to develop.

• This is our mission: to talk about the Risen Christ, to reflect on the meaning of his resurrection, to embrace its implications on our lifestyle and value system.

• Now we, especially the ordained ministers (priests and deacons), must be serious with our job as preachers.

• Like Peter, we must proclaim / preach the mystery of Christ’s resurrection, – that those who listen and believe will be obtain God’s

forgiveness (healing).

• Preaching is not a joke. It is not for entertainment.

Our preachings should produce • repentant Christians (those who frequently examine

their conscience, pray, go to confession, communion, and listen to the Word of God).

• committed Christians (those engaged in the church and in the world with all their troubles, committed to building the kingdom of God, kingdom of peace, justice, righteousness, harmony, respect for human rights, freedom, natural family values, eradication of poverty, etc).

• evangelized Christians, in order words.

• Today’s preachings or sermons are sometimes / many times are boring, phony, full of baloney, moralistic, without direction, etc.

• Many preachers would like to entertain rather than give solid food for the heart, mind and soul. (How much time do our preachers prepare?)

• On the other hand, people must pay attention to the preacher’s serious reflections on Jesus and find ways and means to apply them in their lives.

• They should not tempt their priests to trivialize their ministry by demanding more jokes and gimmicks.

• Preachings are supposed to make us closer to Jesus and more committed to him.

• The original disciples felt they were witnesses to all that happened to Jesus (from baptism up to his death and resurrection).

• Good preaching helps us to rise from sin and death, and induces us sincere repentance and genuine renewal.

• All parishioners must seek Christ and his message of peace, joy, love and salvation through active participation in the liturgy, ongoing formations and dialogues with the pastors and listening to good preachers.

• Our parishes, communities and families are places where we can deepen our faith.

• We use the resources (time, space, money) of our parishes, etc. to help proclaim that Jesus is truly risen (not to indulge in tsismis).

• In the eucharist, we celebrate the joy of the risen Christ.

• We receive during holy communion Jesus who is alive, the one whom God raised from the dead.

• In the eucharist, we are strengthened to make our faith in him alive and active in the Church and in the world.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace• Lousy homilies• Homilies without

spiritual depth• Misunderstood

concept of sermon or homily

• Long and boring homilies

• No sense of mission• Life without faith in

the Risen Lord• No hope of the

resurrection

• Homilies focused on Christ

• Homilies from a credible homilist

• Faith in the resurrection

• Receives holy communion