Easter Day

Resurrection of the Lord

 

 

1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Matthew 28:1-10

 

Salvador Mundi, Savior of the World 

ANTONELLO, da Messina

1945

National Gallery (Great Britain)

London

United Kingdom

 

Notes:From the Yorck Project.

https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20230408744241974&code=act&RC=46138&Row=1

 

 

 

Mosaic of the Resurrection

MEIERE, M. Hildreth

1961

Washington National Cathedral

mosaic

Washington DC

United States

 

Notes:

For a video discussion of the Resurrection Chapel, see: Video Tour 
(Thanks to Marilyn Miller for assistance with this identification.)

 

https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20230408744241974&code=act&RC=55304&Row=13

 

 

(Detail)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will not know what to do with Easter’s light

if we shun the friendship of the darkness

that is wisdom’s way to light.

~ Richard John Neuhaus

 

 

 

 

The great mystery of ministry is that while we ourselves 

are overwhelmed by our own weaknesses and limitations,

we can still be so transparent that the Spirit of God,

the divine counsellor,

can shine through us and bring light to others.

~ Henri Nouwen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday from Tokyo to my brother, Jack Alexander.

Tina, Eugene, Ray, and Junna (Alexander) Yoshioka

 

 

AND … from Robin Alexander Sakamoto

 

 

 

 

Joanne Burnham and Judy Wonning admiring one of Laura’s paintings.

 

 

 

 

They came!!!

After eleven weeks without a washer/dryer, 

I finally can wash my clothes at home!

HURRAY!!!

So far, I have done ten loads.

 

 

 

 

Do not abandon yourselves to despair …

We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song. *

~ Pope John Paul II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 9, 2023  Easter Day Year A

           Resurrection of the Lord

 

Previous OPQs may be found at:

 

 

* I just have to use this quote every year!

 

 

1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.

Matthew 28:1-10

 

Agnus Day, by James Wetzstein

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org

 

 

 

flowers.jpeg

 

 

We who were no people

are named anew

God’s people,

for he who was no more

is forevermore.

~ Ann Weems

from “And the Glory"

 

 

 

 

 

color_white_1.jpg

 

LECTIONARY

 

Acts 10:34–43 or Jeremiah 31:1–6 

Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24 

Colossians 3:1–4 or Acts 10:34–43 

John 20:1–18 or Matthew 28:1–10

 

Summary

Matthew’s account of the Resurrection is laced with important details that together express an entire gospel message, not to be missed in the hubbub of a full sanctuary and lunch plans afterwards.

The Resurrection happens on the “dawn of the first day of the week” beginning the new creation promised in Isaiah 65. The women, informed by the brilliant angel, enter the tomb and see with their own eyes that Jesus is not there. The Gospel is based upon witness, not hearsay. Their thoroughness is fulfilled by Jesus himself who meets them on their way to share the news with the disciples. At this point, they “took hold of his feet” proving that Jesus was no vision or ghostly being. Jesus then immediately sends them on mission to share the news with the Apostles.

The proper response is to go and tell the news (hence the women have been referred to as “The Apostles to the Apostles”). Also, Jesus’ promise to appear to his “brothers” indicates in word and deed that he has already forgiven them for their faithlessness at the Cross and thereafter. The gospel means the forgiveness of sins, even for those guilty of the worst offenses (betrayal). These details paint a rich portrait for the preacher to use on this the highest feast day of the Christian year.

https://www.preachingtoday.com/lectionary/

 

 

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.  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.”
John 20: 1-9

THE WORD:

John’s Easter Gospel says nothing of earthquakes or angels.  His account begins before daybreak.  It was believed that the spirit of the deceased hovered around the tomb for three days after burial; Mary Magdalene was therefore following the Jewish custom of visiting the tomb during this three-day period.  Discovering that the stone has been moved away, Mary Magdalene runs to tell Peter and the others.  Peter and the “other disciple” race to get there and look inside.  Note the different reactions of the three:  Mary Magdalene fears that someone has “taken” Jesus' body; Peter does not know what to make of the news; but the “other” disciple – the model of faithful discernment in John's Gospel – immediately understands what has taken place.  So great are the disciple's love and depth of faith that all of the strange remarks and dark references of Jesus now become clear to him.

https://connectionsmediaworks.com/sundaygospel.html#apr9

 

 

 

 

Easter Day Readings:

First Reading Acts 10:34-43

34Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality,35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Or alternate First Reading Jeremiah 31:1-6

1At that time, says the LORD, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. 
2   Thus says the LORD: 
     The people who survived the sword 
          found grace in the wilderness; 
     when Israel sought for rest, 
3        the LORD appeared to him from far away. 
     I have loved you with an everlasting love; 
          therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. 
4   Again I will build you, and you shall be built, 
          O virgin Israel! 
     Again you shall take your tambourines, 
          and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. 
5   Again you shall plant vineyards 
          on the mountains of Samaria; 
     the planters shall plant, 
          and shall enjoy the fruit. 
6   For there shall be a day when sentinels will call 
          in the hill country of Ephraim: 
     “Come, let us go up to Zion, 
          to the LORD our God.”

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

1   O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 
          his steadfast love endures forever!

2   Let Israel say,  
          “His steadfast love endures forever.”

14  The LORD is my strength and my might; 
          he has become my salvation. 
15   There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: 
     “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly; 
16       the right hand of the LORD is exalted; 
          the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.” 

17  I shall not die, but I shall live, 
          and recount the deeds of the LORD. 
18  The LORD has punished me severely, 
          but he did not give me over to death.

19  Open to me the gates of righteousness, 
          that I may enter through them 
          and give thanks to the LORD.

20  This is the gate of the LORD; 
          the righteous shall enter through it.

21  I thank you that you have answered me 
          and have become my salvation. 
22  The stone that the builders rejected 
          has become the chief cornerstone. 
23  This is the LORD’s doing; 
          it is marvelous in our eyes. 
24  This is the day that the LORD has made; 
          let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Second Reading Colossians 3:1-4

1So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Or alternate Second Reading Acts 10:34-43

34Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality,35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Gospel John 20:1-18

1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned to their homes.

11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.‘” 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Or alternate Gospel Matthew 28:1-10

1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”