1 April 2018
Easter Sunday
1st: Acts 10:34,37-43
Ps: 117:1-2,16-17,22-23
2nd: Colossians 3:1-4
The Gospel of John (20:1-9)
It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
He saw and Believed
On coming he sees the linen clothes set aside: And stooping down, and looking in, he saw the linen clothes lying. But he makes no further search: yet he did not go in. Peter on the other hand, being of a more fervid temper, pursued the search, and examined every thing: Then comes Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and sees the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about His head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Which circumstances were proof of His resurrection. For had they carried Him away, they would not have stripped Him; nor, if any had stolen Him, would they have taken the trouble to wrap up the napkin, and put it in a place by itself, apart from the linen clothes; but would have taken away the body as it was. John mentioned the myrrh first of all, for this reason, i.e. to show you that He could not have been stolen away. For myrrh would make the linen adhere to the body, and so caused trouble to the thieves, and they would never have been so senseless as to have taken these unnecessary pains about the matter. After Peter however, John entered: Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed.
Catena Aurea (St. John Chrysostom)
Easter Greetings from our Parish Priest
Happy Easter to all of you! This is one of the most wonderful things we can wish for each other. We are talking about the Passover instituted by God in the Old Testament for the liberation of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Now it is the New Covenant, instituted by God made flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ, in His own Blood. It is sealed by His death and confirmed by His Resurrection. Believed by Faith and received through all the Sacraments in the Church. It is our true freedom and new life, the life in Christ. We are made new and given the possibility of having a new life where we have been freed from the passions of our nature and the oppression of the world that does not want God. The Lord comes as the Victor over death and hell and has gained for us the means to triumph with Him. The Lord has a new life which will never end and He wants us to have it.
This is Easter for each one of us. This is why we say “Happy Easter!”
As we read in Matthew’s Gospel, the Angel told the Holy women at the sepulchre: “There is no need for you to be afraid… he has risen from the dead…” And when they were going back they met Jesus who told them: “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that… they will see me there”. The Lord is alive and waiting for us because he wants to give us New Life, the Life of God in us. Let us stand up in our Faith and come to the Lord giving ourselves to Him and receiving this life; let us begin Heaven here on earth!
Happy Easter my brothers and sisters!
This week’s feasts
Mon 2 Easter Monday
Tue 3 Easter Tuesday
Wed 4 Easter Wednesday
Thu 5 Easter Thursday
Fri 6 Easter Friday
Sat 7 Easter Saturday
Sun 8 Divine Mercy Sunday
Psalter week II
Readings for 2nd Sunday of Easter
1st: Acts 4:32-3
Ps: 117:2-4,15-18,22-24
2nd: 1 John 5:1-6
Gospel: John 20:19-31
Parish Lunch will be on 8 April at the Parish Hall. Bring and share. All are welcome.
Easter Monday April 2, Mass will be at 12pm.
Divine Mercy Sunday Procession Join us, 8 April after 12pm Mass.
Passion Play 2018: We would like to thank you all for the help, the prayers, the attendance and enthusiasm in walking the Way of the Cross this year, it was a very special event and a powerful witness to the town of Paphos that Christians from different denominations worked together to represent the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mass Times HERE