EASTER SUNDAY
Easter Sunday
Solemn Mass of Paschal Vigil
Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Colossians Col. 3, 1-4
Brethern: Since you have been raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your heart upon things above rather than upon things of earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, appears, then you too will appear with Him in glory.
Psalm 117, 1
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Psalm 116
Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify Him, all you peoples! For steadfast is His kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.
Gospel of St. Matthew Mt 28, 1-7
Glory be unto thee oh Lord!
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene came with the other Mary to inspect the tomb. And suddenly there was a mighty earthquake, for the angel of the Lord descended from Heaven. He came to the stone, rolled it back, and sat on it. In appearance, he resembled a flash of lightning, while his garments were as dazzling as snow. The guards became paralyzed with fear of him, and fell down like dead men. Then the angel spoke up, addressing the women, "You have no reason to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus the crucified, but He is not here. He has been raised, just as He promised. Come and see the spot where He was laid. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and now goes to Galilee ahead of you, where you will see Him.' That is what I have to tell you."
Today, we all commemorate
the glorious resurrection of Christ,
with whom we are spiritually united through baptism. This victory over death was preceded on Good Friday
by the brutal torture of scourging,
the humiliating and painful journey
to a cruel death, as well as Jesus’ three-hour agony
on the shameful cross.
Himself without sin, the Son of God took upon Him all the evil
produced by original sin –
all the evil that springs from
this source of evil within us –
and ultimately broke its very root.
Let us lay our sins at the foot of His cross and have them cleansed
by the power of His blood. Let us give Him our whole past and future,
and enter into an inner union with Him. He is the only Saviour;
He is the true God, God from God, Light from Light. To all who received Him He gave power to become children of God.
Yes, through faith we become children of God and heirs to His kingdom.
May the Risen Lord fill you with His blessings and true joy!
+ Elijah
Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Alleluia,
He is truly risen as He said!