REFLECTIONS TODAY
We anticipate Jesus’ resurrection, with the proclamation, “This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave” (Exsultet).In our life, there are many kinds of tombs in which we find ourselves — poverty and want, expectations and desires, injustice and oppression, boredom and loneliness.
Tonight, Jesus invites us to rise with him to a new life. As we relive the story of God’s love for us, we roll back all the stones that burden us. We break out of our tombs as we draw strength from our risen Savior. We need never ask ourselves, “Who will roll back the stone for us?” (Mk 16:3). As long as we have faith in Christ our Savior, no stone will keep us imprisoned in any tomb; no stone will block our path to new life.
Gospel • Matthew 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men.Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).