Although Easter can possibly be a day later, this is as late in the calendar as it has appeared since adopting the Gregorian Calendar.  The earliest that it has appeared was just a few years ago, on March 23, 2003.

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 10:34a,37-43

This passage reflects the early kerygma of the Church, the basic teaching about Jesus Christ as God’s plan for salvation.  Peter acknowledges that Gentiles are invited to join the People of God.  Immediately after this address in the household of Cornelius, a Gentile, the Holy Spirit will come upon them.

There is a strong emphasis on the role of recognizing the work of God: “we are witnesses. . .us, the witnesses. . .the prophets bear witness.”  The Risen Christ became visible to those “who ate and drank with him after He rose from the dead.”  There appears to be a clear reference to the Christian celebration of the Eucharist.  The early Fathers of the Church referred passages from the prophets to describe the life and mission of Jesus, just as Peter attests.

Being put to death “by hanging Him on a tree” is used by Paul to refer to the Crucifixion in Galatians 3:13.  It reverses the curse “on him who hangs on a tree” in Deuteronomy 21:23.  The Orthodox Church developed a story about the Cross of Christ.  The Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem marks the spot where the tree, which was used as the Cross, was planted by Lot, the nephew of Abraham.

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 (or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8)

The reader is urged to “think of what is above.”  That was the realm of God.  It was also to where Jesus was raised up.  The believer is already sharing this exaltation of Christ.  The raising is not to be separated from the world, but to be raised up over the weakness and failings of life before it is transformed by faith in Christ.  “What is above” is not a spatial reference.  It is a way of living in this new life with Christ as the ruler.  There is also a future reference to the revelation of this life, when the believer “will appear with Him in glory.”  Even as the Christian shares in what has already been accomplished by Christ, there is more that will be revealed in His victory over worldly powers.

Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10 (or John 20:1-9; afternoon, Luke 24:13-35)

Mary Magdalene and another Mary are mentioned three times.  They were witnesses to the death of Jesus on the Cross (Mt 27:56), His entombment (Mt 27:61), and the empty tomb (Mt 28:1).

An earthquake signal a theophany, a manifestation of God.  It occurred at the death of Jesus and at the opening of the tomb in this narrative.  There is no description of the actual resurrection of Jesus.  The focus of the evangelist is on the response of the people who hear about it.  Jesus appears to these first witnesses, when they obey the command of the angel to “go quickly and tell His disciples.”

The mixed emotions of these early witnesses, “fearful yet overjoyed,” reflects the mixed emotions of the eleven disciples in their response to the appearance of the Risen Lord at the end of the Gospel.  “They worshiped, but they doubted” (Mt 28:17).

The greeting of Jesus matches that of the angel to the women: “Do not be afraid!”  The two women are given the same instruction by the angel and Jesus to tell the other disciples that He will see them in Galilee, the place where they received their invitation to be His disciples.  Although the disciples had fled (Mt 26:56), Jesus did not disown them.  He refers to them as “my brothers.”

When I was ordained to the priesthood, my uncle and second cousin attended the Mass in the parish, where I had served for almost a year and a half as a deacon.  After Bishop Schoenherr laid hands on me, I was vested in my priestly robes by my two relatives.  As they embraced me, they said: “Welcome to a unique fraternity.”

My feelings at that time must be like the candidates and catechumens that I now embrace at the Easter Vigil after they emerge from the baptismal font.  We welcome them to a unique community of brothers and sisters.  In my first pastorate, our small parish welcomed all newly baptized, including the infants.  All children were baptized at the Sunday Mass.  The fathers of the children lifted their children up, as an offering to the heavenly Father.  Then, everyone at the baptismal Mass came up and made the Sign of the Cross on the forehead of the newly baptized child, who was held by their parents in front of the altar.

We all belong.  There is no greater feeling than that sense that we have a unique place in membership with others before the altar of God.  No matter what happens during the rest of the week, we return to our place. (And believe me, everyone has their place where they sit in the assembly – it isn’t just the priest!)  And the Lord lifts us up and embraces us once again.  He welcomes us into His Real Presence!  He is Risen. . .for us and among us!

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.