READ John 20:1-9 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
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UNDERSTAND by Father Greg Friedman, OFM “There is no tale ever told,” author J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote in an essay on storytelling, that people “would rather find was true.” The Catholic author of The Lord of the Rings was speaking of the story of Jesus. Today as we accompany Peter and the Beloved Disciple making their way to the tomb, we might echo Professor Tolkien’s comment.
Our faith—as St. Paul tells the Corinthians—rests on the reality of Jesus’ Resurrection. We base everything on the truth of the story. But establishing that truth is not a matter of science, history, or archaeology. It’s a matter of faith. We must call upon the Holy Spirit who is present to the Church to assist us. In the Easter Gospels we hear the witness of the first followers of Jesus: Jesus was risen; they had experienced him alive in their midst. Their testimony in the Spirit moves us to a faithfilled “Alleluia.” We live in a skeptical age. And yet in his essay, J.R.R. Tolkien pays tribute to the power of the Christian proclamation. He notes that there is no other story which so many skeptics “have accepted as true on its own merits.” Our Easter Gospel is a story of living faith in which we are participants, and to which we are now witnesses.
DISCUSS by Father Dan Kroger, OFM • In the first reading (Acts 10:34a, 37-43), what was Peter’s message to the people as he preached in Jerusalem? What did Peter say about his role and that of the Apostles? What are they supposed to do now? How does Peter see what happened to Jesus in light of the prophets? • According to this week's second reading (1Cor 3:1-4), what does St. Paul urge the people in Corinth to do? What does he say will happen when Christ appears again? • Who was the first one, according to the Gospel, to go to the tomb of Jesus? What did she find and what did she do right away? What did Peter and John do after Mary told them what she saw?
At that time, did Peter and John understand the scripture that Jesus would rise from the dead?
ACT by Susan Hines-Brigger • Gather your family together and watch Easter Mass either streamed from your parish, if they are doing it, or find a church in a location that you would be interested to see. Many dioceses throughout the country are streaming their Masses. You can also watch Easter Sunday Mass, as well as many of the Holy Week events at vatican.va. • This year's Easter will be very different from what we are used to. Post the ways your family is celebrating Easter in these uncertain times using the hashtags #faithandfamily and #peaceandgood. And tag @FranciscanMedia in your posts.