Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter Sunday
Reflection
Returning to Alleluias.  As I write this, Easter Sunday is still over two months away!  Liturgically, Jesus has only just been baptized and begun His work, “The Kingdom of God is at hand,” and already I must think ahead to Easter?  So much could happen between now and then, so much contingency:  dismal news in the economy, contentious politics, a stray asteroid, pick your own catastrophe.  But I must think about Easter and the return of Alleluias.

And so I open the Lectionary to Easter Sunday and read, “Since you have been raised up in company with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”  The Resurrection of Jesus includes us all.  It is even now happening to us.  The Resurrection uproots us, and roots us anew “above, where Christ is seated at God’s right hand.”  Now we look upon the world with new sight, and go to work in the world with new hope, and do not fear all the world’s contingencies.

For despite economics and politics and stray asteroids, there is always reason to return to Alleluias, if we make our own the words of the Easter Sequence: Mors et Vita duello/ Conflixere mirando/ Dux vitae mortuus/ Regnat vivus.  Death and Life - O wonder! - fought/  Life’s Champion died, the vict’ry wrought/ Alive He reigns. Alleluia!” 
Prayer
Prayer from the Easter Sequence:  “Truly from the grave arisen, / O Christ, new life in us be given/ Victor King, forever reign!  Alleluia, amen!”

From the Edmundite Community, a blessed Easter to everyone!

Fr. Richard Berube, S.S.E. ‘66, Superior, Saint Michael’s College Edmundite Community

Scripture
First Reading: Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 16ab-17, 22-23
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
Gospel: John 20:1-9 or Mark 16:1-7 or Luke 24:13-35

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

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