Welcome to our Bible Study

Easter SundayApril 4, 2010

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgyIn aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

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."

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.

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!

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."

Commentaryv.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• Peter is bold in his preaching (kerygma).• His preaching is centered on the person of

Jesus (passion, death and resurrection). • He begins with Jesus’ baptism, then to his

Galilean ministry up to Jerusalem, where he is put to death but resurrects on the 3rd day.

• 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 nullify our baptism.

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 being raised with Christ (our own resurrection)

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 (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.

• 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, when 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 comfort in

material things, but in spiritual things.• 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.

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.

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.

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

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

Tying the 3 readings• The first reading is the preaching of Peter

(kerygma) which finds its climax in 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 respond to the mystery of the resurrection.

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.

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

• Based on the first reading, the fact/belief of the resurrection makes the believer remember what Jesus has 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, but we must exert effort, mentally, physically and psychologically, to proclaim the good news of the resurrection.

• 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, 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 image), vanity, consumerism, gimmicks, tasting all kinds of things, competing for best positions, conquering the other, etc.

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

• Come on, live, in your resurrected (redeemed) bodies, in your base instincts.

• 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.

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

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

• committed Christians (= 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 moralistic, etc., not any more centered on Christ.

• Many preachers would like to entertain rather than preach who Jesus is.

• 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 feel they are 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, listening to good preachers, ongoing formations and dialogues with the pastors.

• Our parishes, communities and families are places where we discuss what we have learned from the Church.

• We use the resources (time, space, money) of our parishes, etc. to help proclaim that Jesus is truly risen.

• In the eucharist, we celebrate the joy of the risen Christ. • We receive during holy communion the living Jesus, the

Jesus who is still alive, the one whom God raised from the dead.

• In the eucharist, we are strengthened by the body and blood of Jesus Christ, in the forms of bread and wine, to make our faith in him active in the church and in the world.

Our ContextOur Context• 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

Suggested Songs

• Where is this Jesus?– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LecAQyAdhvs