“Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified.
He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid Him."
(Mark 16:6)
God’s ways often surpass our understanding and expectations. He values all individuals regardless of societal status. Let us have faith in the Lord and take action even when we don’t have all the answers. The resurrection of Jesus, a cornerstone of Christian faith reminds us of the transformative power of God’s love and the promise of eternal life. We should share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.
1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. 2 Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. 5 On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. 6 He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’” (Mark 16:1-7)
God's ways, a mystery, beyond our comprehension, yet in every act, we see His divine intention. He values all, both great and small, in His kingdom, there's a place for all. Let us have faith, let us stand tall, even when answers, on us, do not befall. In the Lord, we find our strength to go any length. The resurrection of Jesus, our faith's cornerstone reminds us we are never alone. His love, transformative, His promise, eternal, His grace, redemptive, His mercy, paternal. Let us share the good news, let it be heard, of Jesus Christ, our Savior, the Word. In every heart, let His love be stirred, for the Gospel is mightier than the sword.
Dear Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that Your ways often surpass our understanding and expectations. You work in mysterious ways, and we trust in Your divine wisdom. We thank You for valuing all individuals, regardless of societal status. You see the worth in each one of us, reminding us of our inherent dignity and value in Your eyes. Help us to have faith in You, Lord, even when we don’t have all the answers. Guide us to take action based on this faith, trusting in Your plan for us. We remember the resurrection, the cornerstone of our Christian faith. It reminds us of the transformative power of Your love and the promise of eternal life. We are forever grateful for this gift of salvation. Help us to share the good news of Your resurrection, Lord Jesus. May our words and actions reflect Your love and grace, drawing others closer to You. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
God is the creator of all things. Everything God made was very good. Humans are made in the image of God. Every human being has inherent dignity and worth. They were given dominion over the earth and the responsibility to care for the environment and all living creatures. God commanded them to be fruitful and multiply, a blessing of fruitfulness and prosperity. These lessons can guide us in our daily lives, reminding us of our responsibilities and the blessings we have received. They also provide a foundation for understanding our relationship with God and His creation.
1 In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, 26 God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” 27 God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.” 29 God also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; 30 and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened. 31 God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. (Genesis 1:1, 26-31)
In the vast expanse of the cosmos, both near and far, God, the creator, birthed each twinkling star. Every creation, from mountain high to ocean deep, crafted with love, for us to cherish and keep. In His image, He sculpted us from the earth, endowing each soul with inherent worth. A reflection of divinity, in each face, a testament to His grace. Dominion over land and sea, He bestowed, a responsibility, in our hearts sowed. To care for each creature, each tree, each flower, a sacred duty, within our power. "Be fruitful, multiply," He commanded, a blessing of prosperity, upon us landed. In the rhythm of life, in each ebb and flow, His blessings, like a river, continue to flow. These lessons guide us, day by day in our actions, in the words we say. A reminder of our role, in this grand narration, and our bond with God, the foundation of creation.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge You as the creator of all things. Your works are a testament to Your greatness, and everything You made is very good. We marvel at the beauty of Your creation, from the vastness of the cosmos to the intricacy of a single leaf. We thank You for creating us in Your image, a reflection of Your divine nature. You have endowed every human being with inherent dignity and worth. Help us to see Your image in ourselves and in others, and to treat everyone with the respect they deserve as Your creation. You have given us dominion over the earth and the responsibility to care for the environment and all living creatures. Grant us the wisdom to be good stewards of Your creation, to protect and preserve it for future generations. You commanded us to be fruitful and multiply, a blessing of fruitfulness and prosperity. We pray for Your continued blessings in our lives, that we may thrive and prosper in all our endeavors. These lessons guide us in our daily lives, reminding us of our responsibilities and the blessings we have received. They provide a foundation for understanding our relationship with You and Your creation. Help us to live according to these lessons, to honor You in all we do, and to grow closer to You each day. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.
God provides for all creatures, from making springs pour water into the ravines to making grass grow for the cattle. As responsible stewards of God’s creation, we are called to protect and preserve it. Let us rely on God for our needs and to be thankful for His provision, trusting in His wisdom and power in all circumstances as we acknowledge and worship God as the creator of all things.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord, my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory, 2 robed in light as with a cloak. 5 You fixed the earth upon its foundation, not to be moved forever; 6 with the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it; above the mountains the waters stood. 10 You sent forth springs into the watercourses that wind among the mountains. 12 Beside them the birds of heaven dwell; from among the branches they send forth their song. 13 You water the mountains from your palace; the earth is replete with the fruit of your works. 14 You raise grass for the cattle, and vegetation for men’s use, producing bread from the earth. 24 How manifold are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all—the earth is full of your creatures. 35 Bless the Lord, O my soul! (Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35)
From the springs that flow into the ravines to the grass that grows, so lush and green, God provides for all, both great and small, His love and care encompassing all. As stewards of His creation, we stand with a sacred duty at our command to protect, to preserve, to tend and to care, for every creature, everywhere. In God we trust, on Him we rely, His provision abundant, as vast as the sky. With gratitude, we lift our voice, in His wisdom and power, we rejoice. Acknowledging God, the creator of all, in worship and praise, we heed His call. In every circumstance, in every stage, His love and power, our heritage.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge You as the provider for all creatures. From the springs that pour water into the ravines to the grass that grows for the cattle, Your hand is evident in every detail of creation. As responsible stewards of Your creation, we understand our duty to protect and preserve it. Grant us the wisdom and strength to fulfill this responsibility, and to respect and care for every part of Your creation. We rely on You for our needs, trusting in Your provision. We are thankful for Your abundant blessings, and we trust in Your wisdom and power in all circumstances. We acknowledge and worship You as the creator of all things. Your power and wisdom are beyond our understanding, and we stand in awe of Your creation. Help us to live in a way that honors You, respects Your creation, and reflects Your love to those around us. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.
New Life in Christ. If we died with Christ, we will also live with Him. We are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Our old self was crucified with Christ so that we might no longer be slaves to sin. Christ gave us a new life that is characterized by righteousness. We were dead to sin but now alive to God in Christ Jesus. We no longer live for ourselves but for God.
3 Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. 5 For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. 7 For a dead person has been absolved from sin. 8 If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. 10 As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. 11 Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:3-11)
In Christ, we found a new birth, a life of value, a life of worth. If with Him, we chose to die, with Him, we live, in the sky. United with Christ, in death and rise, a bond unbroken, in the heavenly skies. Our old self, with Christ, was crucified, no longer to sin, are we tied. Christ bestowed a life anew, characterized by righteousness, pure and true. Once dead to sin, but now awake, alive to God, for Christ's sake. No longer for ourselves, we live, but for God, who continues to give. In Christ, a new life unfurls, a beacon of light, in this world.
Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for the new life we have in You. We acknowledge that if we died with You, we will also live with You. We are united with You in Your death and resurrection, and we celebrate the victory that You have won over sin and death. We remember that our old self was crucified with You so that we might no longer be slaves to sin. We rejoice in the freedom that You have given us, and we commit ourselves to live in righteousness. We were once dead to sin, but now we are alive to God in You, Jesus. We no longer live for ourselves, but for God. Help us to live out this truth each day, to reflect Your love and grace in all that we do. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Even though Jesus was rejected by people, He became the cornerstone of our faith. In Him, God’s redemptive plan was accomplished. Let us always remember and be thankful for God’s enduring and unending love for us and the mighty works of Jesus as God’s right hand. Praise the Lord our God for His saving power and the wonderful things He has done.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. 2 Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” 16 The right hand of the Lord has struck with power; the right hand of the Lord is exalted.17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. 22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. (Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23)
Rejected by many, yet the cornerstone He became, Jesus, our Savior, forever His name. In Him, God's plan of redemption unfurled, a beacon of hope for a weary world. Enduring and unending is His love so grand, a testament of grace we strive to understand. Mighty are the works of Jesus, God's right hand, His deeds of power echo throughout the land. Let us remember, let us raise our voice, in thankfulness, let our hearts rejoice. For His love endures, His mercies never cease, in Him, we find our everlasting peace. Praise the Lord, our God, for His saving might, for the wonderful things He's done, day and night. In every moment, in every place, we see the reflections of His grace.
Dear Heavenly Father, even though Jesus was rejected by people, He became the cornerstone of our faith. In Him, Your redemptive plan was accomplished. We are forever grateful for this gift of salvation. We always remember and are thankful for Your enduring and unending love for us. Your love is a beacon of hope in our lives, guiding us through our darkest hours. We acknowledge the mighty works of Jesus as Your right hand. His life, death, and resurrection are a testament to Your power and mercy. We praise You, Lord our God, for Your saving power and the wonderful things You have done. Your deeds are a constant reminder of Your presence in our lives. Help us to live in a way that honors You and reflects Your love to those around us. May our lives be a testament to Your goodness and love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel:
IV: The Full Revelation of the Mystery
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
Mark 16:1-8
First Reading:
I: The Primeval History
FIRST STORY OF CREATION
Genesis 1:1-31
Responsorial Psalm:
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
PRAISE OF GOD THE CREATOR
Psalm 104:1-35
Second Reading – Genesis 22:1-18 | Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
Third Reading – Exodus 14:15—15:1 | Exodus 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18
Fourth Reading – Isaiah 54:5-14 | Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
Fifth Reading – Isaiah 55:1-11 | Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Sixth Reading – Baruch 3:9-15, 32–4:4 | Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Seventh Reading – Ezekiel 36:16-17, 18-28 | Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4 (or Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 or Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19)
Epistle:
IV: Justification and the Christian Life
FREEDOM FROM SIN; LIFE IN GOD
Romans 6:1-23
Responsorial Psalm:
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
HYMN OF THANKSGIVING
Psalm 118:1-29
