Theme: Mary of Magdala finds that the stone has been removed from Jesus' tomb.

From the desk of Ms. Kathleen Cook, Director of Religious Education

Jesus is Risen! God has given us the greatest blessing of all ---a savior who loves, forgives, and fills us with the Peace and hope of everlasting life.
It’s always a blessing to celebrate the richness of this Easter season of new life. Thanking God for you and all we share in Him!

Blessings, Ms. Kathleen Cook
 

Theme: John 20:1-9 Mary of Magdala finds that the stone has been removed from Jesus' tomb.
 
The Story of EASTER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv5ajWNrnt4

Summary: In this account of the resurrection we experience only the empty tomb, no angelic proclamation, no encounter with the risen Lord speaking to Mary of Magdela—just and empty tomb. The empty tomb became the earliest symbol of the resurrection in the fledgling church. Mary, out of her confusion, runs to the disciples to share that the stone was rolled away and that tomb was empty. Peter and John rush to the sight and John, upon seeing the burial garments neatly wrapped, is confident that Jesus was indeed risen from the dead. John saw and believed even in the midst of not understanding completely. Hope then, is an essential part of the process of coming to faith. Indeed these three virtues; faith, hope, and love are absolutely intertwined.

Scripture Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:18
 
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. She found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and another disciple, whose name was John. She told them, "They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have put him!"

Peter and John started out for the tomb. They were both running, but John outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed -- for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. Then they went home.

Mary stayed behind and stood outside the tomb weeping. As she knelt down and looked inside, she saw two angels dressed in white. They asked her why she was crying. She told them that someone had taken her master and she didn't know where they had taken him. Then, Mary turned and saw a man standing behind her. It was Jesus, but Mary did not recognize Him. She thought he was the gardener. Then Jesus called her by name and, when she heard his voice, she recognized Him. After she saw that it was Jesus, she went to the disciples and said to them, "I’ve just seen Jesus! He is alive!"

Some people, like Mary, Peter, and John can’t see Jesus because they are looking for Him in a grave or on a cross. He isn’t there! He is risen and is seated at the right hand of His Father in heaven. If you want to see Jesus, look in His Word, He will reveal Himself to you, just as He did to Mary!

Dear God, we thank you that Jesus, our Savior, is not in a grave. He is alive! We serve a risen Savior! Hallelujah! Amen..…. www.sermons4kids.com
 
Key Words in Today’s Readings: www.livingwithchrist.us

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

                The Acts of the Apostles is a book in the New Testament that describes how the Church grew after Jesus rose from the dead. It was written by Saint Luke, who also wrote a gospel.

                To anoint means to bless with oil. In the Bible it can also mean to give someone a mission, an important job. God anoints Jesus with the Holy Spirit to show that God was giving Jesus his mission. Christians are anointed at baptism and confirmation, we anoint people when hey are very sick, and priests and bishops are anointed at their ordination: our mission is to live as Jesus taught us.

                This man God raised: Jesus’  resurrection, his passing through death to eternal life, is the most important element of the Christian faith. We believe that Jesus did not remain dead in the tomb, but overcame death,  suffering, and sin. We want to live as he taught, in order to be united with him now and  in the next life.
                The prophets were good men and women who spoke for God. Sometimes their message was harsh: they asked people to make big changes in their lives and attitudes in order to grow closer to God. At other times,               they brought words of comfort.

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4

                Saint Paul wrote to the Colossians, a Christian community at Colossae in modern-day Turkey to help them to understand that Jesus Christ is above everything. No powers are greater than Jesus’ power.

                What is above, that is, the things in heaven, are those that Jesus teaches; finding the truth, living simply,  trusting in God, and caring for those in need. The things of earth distract us from Jesus: being selfish, hurting others, and ignoring the poor.

Gospel: John 20:1-9

                The burial cloths were the fabric that covered the body of a dead person in the tomb. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus made sure that Jesus’ body was treated with dignity and buried properly: they covered his face and then wrapped his body with burial cloths.

My Promise to Jesus: Alleluia! Jesus is risen! I will shout out my joy to share it with those I love.   https://us.magnificat.net/my-sunday-gospel-coloring-book-2020.html

Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. Where do you need the hope, peace, and freedom of the Resurrection in your life right now?   www.smp.org
 
Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:
http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/
The Legend of the Sand Dollar
Written by Chris Auer
ISBN: 13-978-0310720328

Pray that you will always ask God’s assistance in seeing each challenge or difficult situation with an openness to see beyond the situation. Trust that God will be with you in every moment and that God will always see to your greatest good no matter what. Amen.
Family Discussion:
In the Easter Gospel we hear about how the disciples found the tomb empty three days after Jesus' death. We are also told that they do not yet understand the Scriptures or that Jesus had been raised from the dead. That understanding gradually unfolded for the disciples as they began to experience the risen Lord. Similarly, our understanding of Jesus' Resurrection unfolds for us throughout our lives. In the weeks ahead, we will hear how the first disciples moved from confusion, doubt, and skepticism to faith. Their experience can teach us how we too might receive this gift of faith from God.

Gather your family members and ask them to share what they know about the events that happened in the days after Jesus' crucifixion. Invite your family to imagine that they are among Jesus' first disciples. Read together today's Gospel, John 20:1-9. Reflect together on the Gospel with questions such as these: If you had been among the first disciples who heard that the stone had been removed from Jesus' tomb and that Jesus' body was no longer there, what would you think? What did Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter, and the disciple whom Jesus loved think had happened? Recall that this experience is the first indication Jesus' disciples have that he is risen. Throughout the Easter season, we will learn more about how the disciples came to believe that Jesus had been raised from the dead.

Pray together using today's psalm, Psalm 118: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.”........ www.loyolapress.com