Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
(Matthew 28:10)
The transformative power of an encounter with Jesus changes our perspective and priorities, leading us to a life of worship. In our spiritual journey, it’s normal to experience a mix of emotions. Even in the midst of fear and uncertainty, we can still experience the joy of knowing Christ. We can rely on Jesus’ promises for no worldly tactics can ever thwart God’s plan. Let us stand firm in our faith, even in the face of opposition.
8 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary 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 guards went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. 12 The chief priests 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. (Matthew 28:8-15)
In the presence of Jesus, our lives take flight, transformed by His power, we walk in His light. Our perspectives change, our priorities shift, in worship, we find our spirits lift. On this journey of faith, emotions intertwine, Joy and fear, in our hearts, they shine. Even amidst uncertainty, in the shadows cast, the joy of knowing Christ remains steadfast. His promises are anchors, on which we rely, no worldly tactics His plans can defy. In the face of opposition, we stand firm, we stand tall, for in Jesus, we have overcome it all.
Dear Lord Jesus, we come before You, acknowledging the transformative power of encountering You. We thank You for changing our perspectives and priorities, leading us to a life of worship. We recognize that in our spiritual journey, it's normal to experience a mix of emotions. Even in the midst of fear and uncertainty, we can still experience the joy of knowing You. We thank You for Your promises, which are reliable and true. We know that no worldly tactics can ever thwart Your divine plan. We pray for the strength to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of opposition. Help us to always remember that You are with us, guiding us, and protecting us. May we continue to trust in You and seek Your guidance in all that we do. In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.
God is in control and His plans will prevail. Jesus, having been exalted to the right hand of God, has received the promised Holy Spirit and is responsible for the outpouring of the Spirit that the crowd is witnessing. The events of Pentecost demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit. It reminds us that the same Spirit that empowered the apostles is available to us today. The transformative power of the Holy Spirit encourages us to be courageous in our faith. All that is written in the Scripture points to Jesus as both Lord and Messiah.
14 On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “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 the children of Israel, 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 Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. 33 Exalted at the right hand of God, he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.” (Acts 2:14, 22-33)
In the grand design, where God's hand does unveil, His plans, like a river, through time they sail. Exalted is Jesus, at God's right hand, His promises fulfilled, just as He planned. The Spirit promised, to Jesus was given, and from His hand, the Spirit to us is driven. Witness the power, on Pentecost's day, the same Spirit is with us, to guide our way. The apostles were empowered, their courage did bloom, in the face of adversity, their faith did loom. So too are we, in this Spirit bathed, courage in our faith, by His love we're graced. Scripture points to Him, the Messiah, the Lord, in every verse, His truth is underscored. Jesus, our Savior, in Scripture we find, a testament of love, for all of mankind.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today in awe of Your power and sovereignty. We acknowledge that You are in control and that Your plans will always prevail. We are humbled by the knowledge that Jesus, having been exalted to Your right hand, has received the promised Holy Spirit and is responsible for the outpouring of the Spirit that we continue to witness in our lives. We remember the events of Pentecost, where the power of the Holy Spirit was demonstrated so vividly. It serves as a reminder that the same Spirit that empowered the apostles is available to us today. We pray for that transformative power to work within us, encouraging us to be courageous in our faith. We thank You for the Scripture, which points us to Jesus as both Lord and Messiah. May it continue to guide us in our journey of faith, helping us to know You more and to follow Your ways. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
All good things come from God. True contentment comes from a relationship with God, not from worldly possessions or achievements. True joy is found in a relationship with God, not in worldly pleasures. Let us always place our trust in the Lord and seek God’s guidance in our decisions and to cultivate an awareness of His presence in our daily lives.
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. 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. 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. 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11)
In every blessing, in every gain, we see Your hand, again and again. All good things from You do start, a testament of Your loving heart. True contentment, a treasure rare, is found in You, beyond compare. Not in possessions, not in gold, but in Your love, a joy untold. In Your presence, true joy we find, worldly pleasures, we leave behind. A joy so deep, a joy so pure, in Your love, we are secure. In trust, we place our life, our all, in Your guidance, we never fall. Aware of Your presence, day and night, in Your wisdom, we take delight.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that all good things come from You. We recognize Your abundant blessings and thank You for Your unending grace. We understand that true contentment and joy are not found in worldly possessions or achievements, but in a deep and meaningful relationship with You. Help us to always place our trust in You, Lord. Guide us in our decisions and help us to seek Your wisdom in all things. Cultivate in us an awareness of Your presence in our daily lives. Let us feel Your guiding hand in every moment, and let Your Holy Spirit lead us on the path of righteousness. In Your presence, we find true joy, peace, and fulfillment. Help us to remember this truth and to seek You first in all things. We pray that our lives will reflect Your love and grace to those around us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel:
VII : The Passion and Resurrection
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS / THE REPORT OF THE GUARD
Matthew 28:1-10 / 11-15
First Reading:
II: The Mission in Jerusalem
PETER'S SPEECH AT PENTECOST
Acts 2:14-41
Responsorial Psalm:
First Book of Psalms 1-41
GOD THE SUPREME GOOD
Psalm 16:1-11
