EASTER SUNDAY (Cycle A,B,C)

On this Easter Sunday, we gather to hear the word of God, and to come to the table of the eucharist, basking in the light of the Easter candle - the wonderful symbol of Christ our Light. We are gathered together to celebrate Jesus Christ risen from the dead, the Lord of life and the Lord of all.

Our reading from the Acts of the Apostles sets an agenda for our lifelong journey as baptized Christians. We are to share with others what we have witnessed. Throughout the course of the Easter season, the Acts of the Apostles will tell us about how the gospel was preached throughout the then known world.

Today, Peter speaks to people gathered at the house of Cornelius, one of the first gentile converts. This is part of Peter's speech, which is summary of Luke's Gospel message, beginning with the preaching of John the Baptist's baptism of Jesus. Peter's message emphasizes Jesus' healings as the overturning of the devil's counter-kingdom. Next is mentioned the rejection of Jesus in Jerusalem, by the leadership of the people; then the raising of Jesus from the dead and his appearances to select witnesses. This is followed by the commission to preach Christ, to bear witness that he is the One set apart by God to be "judge of the living and the dead." Belief in Jesus results in the forgiveness of sins.

We respond to this message of Peter with verses from Psalm 118, which gives thanks for God for a great deliverance. Our response begins with verses 1 & 2, which indicate a liturgical chant, as the second part of each verse is a response: "His mercy endures forever." God is thanked for his goodness, and Israel is invited to recognize his loving mercy. That continues in verses 3 & 4, which are not part of today's response. In this psalm, though not part of today's response, is a reference to Christ's victory over adversaries: "In the name of the Lord I crushed them." (Cf. second part of verses 10, 11 & 12). In context of the Resurrection of Jesus, verses 16 & 17 are appropriate in today's response: "The right hand of the Lord has struck with power; the right hand of the Lord is exalted. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord." Christ risten from the dead is evidence of the power of God. Seated at God's right hand, Jesus is exalted.

Verse 22 is a messianic verse which is quoted in the Gospel, in each of the symoptic Gospels (Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17): "Those who rejected Jesus are those who should have known better, namely, the religious leadership in Jerusalem. The final verse of our response proclaims the wonder of God's deed of raising Jesus from the dead: "By the Lord this has been done; it is wonderful in our eyes" (vs. 23).

The messianic reading of this psalm identifies Jesus, and verses 22 and 23 are an "interprative allegory of his destiny. In his crucifixtion and resurrection, Jesus is the rejected stone that has become the chief cornerstone" (J.L. Mays).

Our responsorial verse (vs. 24) expresses well our sentiments about the significance of celebrating the day of Christ's resurection: "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad." "The resurrection of Jesus is hailed as the Lord's doing (vs. 23), 'marvelous in our eyes.' The salvation of Jesus from death becomes the great event by which transformations are worked in those whose lives are centered in him. Read, sung and heard this way, the psalm [Ps. 118] becomes the language of the risen Jesus and of his community, celebrating the wonder that God himself has become our salvation through the resurrection" (J.L. Mays).

Rev. Charles Yost, scj

Nesbit, MS