Welcome to our Bible

Study

Easter Sunday B

5 April 2015

In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy

In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

1st reading: Acts 10:34.37-43 34 Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that

God shows no partiality. 37 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."

1st reading: Acts 10:34.37-43 34 Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that

God shows no partiality. 37 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 dayand 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." We focus on God raising Jesus.

1st reading: Acts 10:34.37-43God’s Impartiality

34 Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. 37 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.

Witnesses

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.

Commissioning

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!

1st reading: Acts 10:34.37-43God’s impartiality

34 Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. 37 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.

Commentary

In v.34, Peter declares that God has no favoritism.

V.37 situates how God has been fair to everyone, in Judea (south) and Galilee (north)

V.38 continues how God anoints Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power.

V.38b shifts the subject to Jesus, doing good and healing / exorcising.

The same verse gives a comment: God was with him.

1st reading: Acts 10:34.37-43

Witnesses

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.

In v.39, Peter attests that they, the apostles, are witnesses to Jesus’ activities both in Galilee (country of the Jews) and in Jerusalem.

They attest that the Jews have put Jesus to death.

In vv. 40-41, the subject shifts to God again. God raises Jesus up on the third day and allows him to appear to the apostles, who are God’s chosen witnesses.

The witnesses ate and drank with Jesus after his resurrection.

1st reading: Acts 10:34.37-43

Commissioning

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."

In v.42, we presume that the “he” is Christ. Christ commissions them to preach and to testify (give witness) that he is assigned by God as a judge of all.

V.43 includes all the prophets of old as witnesses.

V.43b indicates the benefit of believing in Jesus: forgiveness of sins

(salvation)

Reflections on the 1st reading After all the commotions brought about by the death of

Jesus comes new life.

For Jesus, new life is restoring to his original shape and even more, now he is invincible, not subject anymore to torture and death.

For the apostles, new life is no longer just following Jesus or learning his teachings, but taking responsibilities.

The apostles have to preach and give witness to Jesus’ victory over sin and death.

As Christians of today, after all the learnings and yearnings to follow Jesus, how do we show to the world, to our families, to our officemates and people around that we are responsible Christians?

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.

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 what is above.

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

In v. 1, St. Paul (or his disciple) enjoins baptized Christians to set their hearts on what is above (something spiritual).

V.2 repeats the idea of v.1. Our attention should move from what is earthly (material) to what is heavenly (spiritual).

We must be keen on spiritual values.

V.3 gives the reason why: we have died in Christ (through baptism) and our life is with Christ…

V.4 states at the end of time, faithful Christians will appear too appear with Christ in glory.

Reflections on the 2nd reading

Christians who have grown deep in their faith must

already have higher values (spiritual values).

They must set their priorities on the interests of God.

The interests of God are none other than truth, justice,

charity, ethical life, communion with his Son.

Christians should not stay on a lower level in which the

priority is putting more money into our pockets, more

time and energy spent to satisfy our senses (stomachs),

satisfying our base instinct, no sense of self-sacrifice.

We should not remain materialistic, consumeristic and

toxic in our lifestyle.

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.

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 20:1-9Discovery

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.“

Verification

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.

Faith

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 20:1-9Discovery

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.“

Verification

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.

Commentary

V.1 begins the story of the resurrection. The first character to appear is Mary of Magdala.

She goes to the tomb before daybreak and sees the stone cover removed from the tomb.

In v.2, right away she reports to Simon Peter and to John.

She does not interpret well the removal of the stone.

She believes the body of Jesus has been stolen overnight (or perhaps it was transferred without their permission), for she says, “we don’t know where they put him.”

In v.3, Peter and John goes to verify immediately.

V.4 indicates the speed of the two. John runs faster than Peter (older kasi).

In v.5, John bends down and sees the burial cloths left behind.

In v.6, Peter goes straight into the tomb and sees the same.

V.7 describes where the cloth is placed, etc.

Why all these details? Do they have meaning?

Gospel reading: John 20:1-9Faith

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.

V.8 indicates the entrance of John.

Now the two are in the tomb.

John sees and believes (in the resurrection).

How about Peter? Does he now believe?

V.9 indicates that later on Peter and others will come to believe when they begin to understand the scriptures.

The scriptures (OT) is very important to develop one’s faith in the resurrection.

Reflections on the gospel reading

Diligence helps us to develop our faith.

First, we must have the diligence to respond to facts or reports and verify them.

Second, we must be diligent enough to read and interpret the scriptures correctly.

We put our personal discoveries and our learning from the bible and make proper conclusions.

We can develop our faith in the Risen Lord even if Jesus does not appear in person to us.

We must be able to conclude well the signs of his resurrection.

Tying the 3 readings

The first reading speaks of the resurrection of Jesus.

The second reading speaks our own resurrection in our baptism as Christians.

The gospel reading speaks of Jesus’ resurrection without describing how Jesus rose from the dead.

How to develop your homily / sharing

In this Easter Sunday, we talk nothing else than the resurrection of Jesus.

We do not allow any speculations how he exactly resurrected. We will waste a lot of time. Nobody knows.

Instead, we must diligently seek the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection, which is a matter of faith.

If we have faith, we can have a lot of meaningful conclusions that can change our life.

The gospel reading simply describes the “Empty Tomb.”

The “Empty Tomb” (empty of Jesus’ body) is subject to interpretations.

Like Mary of Magdala, one would interpret it as a case of theft and robbery.

Like Peter and John, we will interpret it as not really empty, for the linens remain there.

But at this point, we will not still have the meaningful interpretation.

We give ourselves time to reflect upon and see the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection.

In the first reading, after many days of reflection and appearances of Jesus himself, the apostles learn the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection.

It is an act of God.

His resurrection is a call for the apostles to preach and to give witness to Jesus who is victorious over death.

We, believers, must continue in preaching and giving witness to our faith.

Otherwise, faith in the resurrection is meaningless.

The second reading deepens the meaning of the resurrection.

It talks about change of mentality and priority.

It talks about changing of value system.

As believers, we should not have appetite anymore to what is earthly.

We should set our hearts and minds to what belongs to the spiritual realm.

We stop feeding on our base instincts, but on a self cultured by God.

The eucharist is the celebration par excellence

of the resurrection of Jesus and ours too.

The eucharist nourishes our faith in the

resurrection of Jesus.

The eucharist strengthens us in our mission, as

we respond properly to the demands of our faith

in the resurrection.

In the eucharist, we can experience

resurrection now, not just in the world to come.

Our Context

Instruments of death

Meaningless lives

Too much data without proper interpretation

Information without formation

Laziness to discover, to move from one’s comfort

Inability to make judgment to make one’s faith grow

Immature faith, faith without responsibility

Intelligent Christians who can make proper conclusions to signs of the times

Responsive faith

Happy Christians

Empowered Christians who are not ashamed to proclaim their faith

Christians who speak the language of the Church and of God

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