Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009

   Acts 10: 34, 37 - 43

    Peter proceeded to address them in these words:  "I begin to see how true it is that God shows no partiality.

  I take it you know what has been reported all over Judea about Jesus of Nazareth, begining in Galilee with the baptism John preached; of the way God anointed him with the Holy spirit and power.  He went about doing good works and healing all who were in the grip of the devil, and God was with him.  We are witnesses to all that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem.  They killed him, finally, hanging him on a tree, only to have God raise him up on the third day and grant that he be seen, not by all, but only by such witnesses as had been chosen beforehand by God - by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.  He commissioned us to preach to the people and to bear witness that he is the one set apart by God as judge of the living and the dead.  To him all the prophets testify, saying that everyone who believes in him has forgiveness of sins through his name.

Psalms 118: 1 - 2, 16 - 17, 22 - 23

   Alleluia. 

   Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.  Let the house of Israel say, "His mercy endures forever."

    The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord has struck with power.  I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

   The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.  By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.

Colossians 3: 1 - 4

   Since you have been raised up in company with Christ, set your heart on what pertains to higher realms where Christ is seated at God's right hand.  Be intent on things above rather than on things of earth.  After all, you have died!  Your life is hidden now with Christ in God. When Christ our life appears, then you shall appear with him in glory.

John 20, 1 - 9

   Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb.  She saw that the stone had been moved away, so she ran off to Simon Peter and the other disciple (the one Jesus loved) and told them, "The Lord has been taken from the tomb!  We don't know where they have put him!"  At that, Peter and the other disciple started out on their way toward the tomb.  They were running side by side, but then the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.  He did not enter but bent down to peer in, and saw the wrappings lying on the ground.  Presently, Simon Peter came along behind him and entered the tomb.  He observed the wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself.  Then the disciple who had arrived first at the tomb went in.  He saw and believed.  (Remember, as yet they did not understand the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)