Acts 2:14.22-32

Peter stands before a large crowd and explains to them the situation as he has experienced it and understands it. This is what evangelization is all about, namely giving witness to the way in which our faith in God has changed the way that we see our lives. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead gives an entirely new perspective from which to view life and this is the Good News that we have to bring to the world.

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, ?You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 22 You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. 23 This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. 24 But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says of him: ?I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. 26 Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, 27 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.? 29 My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. 30 But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption.

P S A L M

R: Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

1 Keep me, O God, for in You I take refuge; 2 I say to the LORD, ?My Lord are you.? 5 O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, You it is who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the LORD who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R) 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R) 

G O S P E L

Matthew 28:8-15

Jesus wants to meet His disciples in a place that is familiar to them. Jesus spent most of His time with His followers around the region of Galilee. This is the place to which they would have naturally returned after the shock of His crucifixion and death. In choosing a place and setting familiar to His disciples I think that Jesus is trying to make it as easy for them as possible to be able to accept the truth that He has risen from the dead. His rising will be another shock to their system as they do not yet understand the totality of the ministry of Jesus and what it all means.

8 Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. 10 Then Jesus said to them, ?Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.? 11 While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. 12 They assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 telling them, ?You are to say, ?His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.? 14 And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy [him] and keep you out of trouble.? 15 The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present [day].

my reflections
think: This is what evangelization is all about, namely giving witness to the way in which our faith in God has changed the way that we see our lives.

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God?s special verse/thought for me today______________________

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T O D A Y ? S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ______________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2Chronicles 1-5

There are three outpourings in the readings today.
      In the First Reading, Peter, the leader of the Twelve, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, stood up and addressed the crowd. He boldly proclaimed that Jesus, whom the people put to death, had truly risen. Peter attributed to the outpouring of the Spirit his new found courage to give witness to Jesus and the wonderful things that the people of Jerusalem had witnessed that day. 
     In the Gospel, we read the other two outpourings. First there was an outpouring of joy from the hearts of the women who went to the tomb and met the risen Lord. Immediately, they went to the disciples to share with them the joyful news. Second there was an outpouring of money from the coffers of the chief priests. Told by the soldiers about what had happened and how Jesus rose from the dead, the chief priests consulted the elders and handed a considerable amount of money to the soldiers to tell a lie. They were to say that the disciples of Jesus came during the night and stole His body.
     The outpouring of the Holy Spirit proclaimed the truth. The outpouring of joy brought greater joy. The outpouring of money circulated a lie. Because the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the apostles, they became courageous. Because their hearts were outpouring with joy, the women became the first Easter missionaries. But the soldiers circulated a lie about Jesus? resurrection because money had been outpoured from the chief priests? treasury.
      What are the outpourings in your life these days? What have they led you to? Do they proclaim the truth or circulate a lie? Have you become a courageous disciple or a lying soldier? Fr. Bobby T.

REFLECTION QUESTION:
What does the empty tomb mean to you?

Pour out Your Spirit on us, Lord Jesus, to make us Your courageous witnesses and joyful disciples. Let Him flow to us and from us to others. Pour out Your Spirit on us and, through us, renew the face of the earth. Amen.

St. Anicetus, pope martyr, pray for us.