1st Easter C

Welcome to our Bible Study
Easter Sunday C
27 March 2016
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st
reading: Acts 10,34a.37-43
• 34a Peter addressed the people in these words "I take
it to know what has happened all over Judea, beginning
in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, 38 how
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and
power. He went about doing good and healing all those
oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We
are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the
Jews and (in) Jerusalem. They put him to death by
hanging him on a tree. 40 This man God raised (on) the
third day and granted that he be visible, 41 not to all the
people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in
advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from
the dead. 42 He commissioned us to preach to the
people and testify that he is the one appointed by God
as judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the
prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in
him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."
The focus is on the resurrection of Christ.

1st
Reading: Acts 10,34a.37-43
The Kerygma: The Christ-Event
• 34a Peter addressed the people in these words "I take it to know what has
happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John
preached,
Baptism of Jesus
• 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power.
Ministry of Jesus
• He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God
was with him. 39 We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the
Jews and (in) Jerusalem.
Death of Jesus
• They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.
Resurrection of Jesus
• 40 This man God raised (on) the third day
Appearances of Jesus
• and granted that he be visible, 41 not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses
chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the
dead.
Kerygma: Commissioning of the apostles to preach: forgiveness to those who
believe
• 42 He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one
appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets
bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins
through his name."
A simple outline!

Textual Context of Acts 10,34a.37-43
I. 1,1—5:42 The Church in Jerusalem
II. 6,1—12,25 The Church into the Hellenistic World
III. 13,1—15,35 Antioch-based mission of Paul and Barnabas
IV. 15,35—19,20 Paul’s mission to Asia Minor and Greece.
V. 19,21—28,31 Paul a prisoner

1st
Reading: Acts 10,34a.37-43
The Kerygma: The Christ-Event
• 34a Peter addressed the people in these
words "I take it to know what has happened
all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after
the baptism that John preached,
Baptism of Jesus
• 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the holy Spirit and power.
Ministry of Jesus
• He went about doing good and healing all
those oppressed by the devil, for God was
with him. 39 We are witnesses of all that
he did both in the country of the Jews and
(in) Jerusalem.
Death of Jesus
• They put him to death by hanging him on a
tree.
Resurrection of Jesus
• 40 This man God raised (on) the third day
Appearances of Jesus
• and granted that he be visible, 41 not to all
the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen
by God in advance, who ate and drank with
him after he rose from the dead.
Commissioning of the apostles to preach:
forgiveness to those who believe
• 42 He commissioned us to preach to the
people and testify that he is the one
appointed by God as judge of the living and
the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear
witness, that everyone who believes in him
will receive forgiveness of sins through his
name."
Commentary
V.34a speaks of Peter’s preaching (kerygma)
after the resurrection of Jesus.
Vv.38-43 constitute the contents of Peter’s
preaching.
The contents are:
Baptism of Jesus, v.38
Ministry of Jesus (doing good and healing, exorcism),
v.38; in Galilee (country of the Jews) and in Jerusalem
(Judea), v.39
Crucifixion and death, v.39
Resurrection by the power of God, v.40
Appearances to the apostles who ate and drank
with him, v.41
Commissioning to preach (kerygma) focusing on
Jesus as judge of the living and dead; v.42
forgiveness to those who believe. V.43

Reflections on the 1st
reading
• Like Peter, we must be bold in our preaching
(kerygma).
• Our preaching must be centered on the person
of Jesus (passion, death and resurrection).
• We Christians must preach God’s Word and be
witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, because we
too have been baptized.
• Baptism is the start of our mission.
• Without mission, we renege our baptism.
• In the New Evangelization, we must employ all
means (new ways) to tell the world, esp. the
youth, that Christ is the source of salvation and
joy.

Resp. Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
• R. (24) This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be
glad.
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
2 Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
• 16 “The right hand of the LORD has struck with power;
the right hand of the LORD is exalted.
17 I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.”
• 22 The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
23 By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.

Resp. Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
• R. (24) This is the day the Lord
has made; let us rejoice and be
glad.
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he
is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
2 Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
• 16 “The right hand of the LORD has
struck with power;
the right hand of the LORD is
exalted.
17 I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the
LORD.”
• 22 The stone which the builders
rejected
has become the cornerstone.
23 By the LORD has this been
done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
Commentary
• The response, v.24, is very
popular and is put into songs.
• Vv.1-2 exhort all to thank God
for his enduring mercy.
• V.16 attests God showing his
power.
• As a result, the psalmist lives
(to be appropriated by Jesus
later) and declares his
wonders. V.17
• Vv.22 describes what Jesus
has become (a cornerstone, a
very important part of a
structure).
• V.23 evaluates what
happened to Jesus as good
and wonderful.

Reflections on the Psalm
• God is merciful to those who are victimized.
• He saves them from total destruction or death.
• He can make them useful again.
• Don’t panic if you are being tried.
• You will emerge stronger after you endure
everything.
• Learn to persevere.

2nd
reading: Colossians 3,1-4
• 1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek
what is above, where Christ is seated at
the right hand of God. 2 Think of what is
above, not of what is on earth. 3 For you
have died, and your life is hidden with
Christ in God. 4 When Christ your life
appears, then you too will appear with him
in glory.
The focus is on being raised with Christ (our own resurrection).

Textual Context Colossians 3,1-4
Outline by Perkins
Greeting (1,1-2)
Thanksgiving: Faith, Hope and love of the community (1,3-8)
The exalted Christ as source of our heavenly salvation (1:15-2:23)
Prayer for the Well-being of the community (1,9-14)
The exalted Christ as source of our heavenly salvation (1,15—2,23)
(a) Hymn to Christ as image of God and Savior (1:15-20)
(b) Apostle's ministry reveals God's salvation (1:21-2:7)
(c) Against those who preach a false salvation based on "angelic worship" (2:8-23)
Living the Christian life (3:1-4:6)
(a) Holiness manifests the "new creation" which Christians have become in
baptism (3:1-17)
(b) "Household code": Behavior of wives and husbands, children and fathers,
slaves and masters (3:18-4:1)
(c) Continue in prayer and wise conduct toward outsiders (4:2-6)
Concluding greetings (4:7-18)
(a) Tychicus and Onesimus will report on what has happened to Paul (4:7-9)
(b) Greetings from associates of Paul (4:10-14)
(c) Greetings to those at Laodicea and instructions for an exchange of letters
between churches (4:15-18)

2nd
reading: Colossians 3,1-4
• 1 If then you were
raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated
at the right hand of
God. 2 Think of what
is above, not of what
is on earth. 3 For you
have died, and your
life is hidden with
Christ in God. 4
When Christ your life
appears, then you too
will appear with him in
glory.
Commentary
• Paul (or some other author, a disciple of Paul, who
came much later), reflects on the mystery of
the resurrection.
• V.1 presumes baptism as rising with Christ
and urges the baptized Christian to go up
higher in his value system (seek what is
above).
• V.2 reinforces this idea. The Christian must
not get stuck with what is earthly (worldly).
• In v.3, the author says that to be raised is
to die to the world and to live in God.
• V.4 says that at the end times, the
Christian will also appear in glory like
Jesus, that is, if he is faithful to his
baptismal vows.

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd
readingreading
• The resurrection of Christ brings us about our
own resurrection.
• We must be consistent in living our new life
brought about by our baptism.
• Christians should no longer seek security and
comfort in material things.
• By now, we must have higher values.
• Baptized Christians must now live in God’s
mystery, not in sin.

Gospel reading: John 20,1-9
• 1 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. 2 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." 3 So Peter
and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the
burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter
arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial
cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had
arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9 For
they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to
rise from the dead.
The focus is on the resurrection of Jesus.

Mary of Madala and initial assessment
• 1 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. 2 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."
Peter and John (whom Jesus loved)
• 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived
at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but
did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the
tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had
covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate
place.
John saw and believed
• 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the
tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet
understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.
A simple outline!

did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the
tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had
place.
A simple outline!
Take note of the running.

did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into
the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had
place.
A simple outline!
Take note also of the coming and going in / out.

Textual Context of John 20,1-9
BOOK OF SIGNS: JESUS REVEALS THE FATHER
(Chapters 1-12)
Prologue (1:1-18)
Gathering disciples (1:19-4:54)
(a) Jesus as messiah, Son of God, Son of Man (1:19-51)
(b) Miracle at Cana: Jesus' glory (2:1-12)
(c) First Passover: Cleansing of the temple (2:13-25)
(d) Nicodemus: Rebirth from heaven (3:1-21)
(e) Judea: Jesus and John the Baptist (3:22-4:3)
(f) Samaritan woman: Water of life (4:4-42)
(g) Healing official's son: Second Cana sign (4:43-54)
Disputes: Jesus' True Identity (5:1-12:50)
(a) Healing cripple: Son is like the Father (5:1-47)
(b) Feeding five thousand: Son is bread of life (6:1-70)
(c) Tabernacles discourse: Light of the world (7:1-52)
(d) Divine I AM: Jesus greater than Abraham (8:12-59)
(e) Healing blind man: Walk in the true light (9:1-41)
(f) Jesus' sheep: True shepherd (10:1-42)
(g) Raising Lazarus: Jesus gives life to the world (11:1-
44)
(h) Officials decide to kill Jesus (11:45-54)
(i) Mary anoints Jesus (12:1-11)
(j) Jesus' final public appearances in Jerusalem (12:12-
50)
BOOK OF GLORY: JESUS RETURNS TO THE
FATHER (Chapters 13-21)
At the Last Supper (13:1-17:26)
(a) Footwashing: Example of service (13:1-30)
(b) First discourse: Jesus' presence with
disciples (13:31-14:31)
(c) Second discourse: Remain on the true vine
(15:1-16:4a)
(d) Third discourse: Paraclete to console
disciples (16:4b-33)
(e) Fourth discourse: Jesus' prayer of unity
(17:1-26)
Passion of Jesus (18:1-19:42)
Resurrection of Jesus (20:1-21:25)
(a) Empty tomb (20:1-10)
(b) Appears to Mary Magdalene (20:11-18)
(c) Appears to disciples at meals (20:19-29)
(d) First ending to the gospel (20:30-31)
(e) Appears by the sea in Galilee (21:1-23)
(f) Second ending to the gospel (21:24-25)

Gospel: John 20,1-9
• 1 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. 2 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."
• 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out
and came to the tomb. 4 They both ran,
but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent
down and saw the burial cloths there, but
did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived
after him, he went into the tomb and saw
the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that
had covered his head, not with the burial
cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
• 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the
one who had arrived at the tomb first, and
he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet
understand the scripture that he had to rise
from the dead.
Commentary
In vv.1-2, the evangelist reports that a
woman, Mary of Magdala, comes to the
tomb, early in the morning. After seeing
the stone covering had been removed,
she runs to report to Peter and John.
Her assessment: “They have taken him
away…”
Peter and John believes in the report of
Mary of Magdala and go out and
comes to the tomb. They both run. Why
do they run? (We have fast moving
action this time.)
In v.5, John sees cloths that covered
his head; In v.6 Peter sees the burial
cloths. What does this mean?
Vv.8-9 bring out the most important
point of the text. “He saw and
believed.” Now they know what
resurrection from the dead means.

Reflections on the gospel readingReflections on the gospel reading
• We Christians are catechized to believe in
Christ’s resurrection.
• Effortless we have come to believe in this
mystery.
• But as Christians or Catholics, we come to
appreciate more the meaning of the Lord’s
resurrection if we study the Bible.
• We can live more meaningfully our faith through
further catechism, sound theology and ongoing
formation and participation in the life and
mission of the Church.
• In this Year of Faith, we are supposed to
transmit our faith in the Risen Lord.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
• The first reading is the preaching of Peter
(kerygma) which finds its climax in the
resurrection of Jesus.
• The psalm prefigures the resurrection of Jesus.
• The second reading encourages Christians to
live according to their new dignity, as they too
have resurrected (through baptism).
• The gospel reading encourages Christians to
live the resurrection (the first Christian fun run).

How to develop your homily and sharing
• The preacher or catechist is obliged to
develop the theological meaning of the
resurrection of the Lord.
• He/she may pay attention a little bit to the
customs and traditions of the parish
(community) like the salubong, but he/she
should not lose track of the meaning of the
resurrection.

• The preaching must center on the meaning of
the resurrection based on our readings today.
• There are lots of texts about the resurrection of
Jesus, but here we must prioritize what today’s
readings are telling us.

• Based on the first reading, the fact/belief of the
resurrection makes the believer remember what
Jesus had done (teaching and healing).
• The faith in the resurrection reminds us of our
responsibility to proclaim the mystery and to be
active and living witnesses to the resurrected
Christ, like Peter and the apostles.
• We don’t just believe. we must exert effort,
mentally, physically and psychologically, to
proclaim the good news of the resurrection.
• The New Evangelization is nothing else than the
old proclamation of the Risen Lord (kerygma of
the apostles) with new vigor, enthusiasm and
understandable forms.

• The second reading challenges us, believers of the
resurrected Christ, to pay attention to heavenly values.
• Christian believers are supposed to seek higher values,
like sharing of gifts, deep spirituality, prayer life, communion,
intimacy with God, truth, justice, peace, etc.
• Lower values are the world’s values: money, prestige, power,
narcissism (just beautifying oneself, improving one’s external
image), vanity, consumerism, gimmicks, tasting all kinds of
things, competing for best positions, conquering the other,
rakrakan, etc.
• Don’t sacrifice prayer and mass on Sundays and other
days, in favor of money, work and leisure.
• Come on, live, in your resurrected (redeemed) bodies.
Don’t live as if you were still dead (no movement, no joy,
no responsibility).

• The gospel reading tells us, disciples, that the
resurrection of Jesus brings about new movements in
our communities.
• Talks about sufferings and death are relativized by
Jesus’ resurrection.
• With the resurrection of Christ, we have a new topic to
develop.
• This is our mission: to talk about the Risen Christ, to
reflect on the meaning of his resurrection, to embrace its
implications on our lifestyle and value system.

• Now we, especially the ordained ministers
(priests and deacons), must be serious with our
job as preachers.
• Like Peter, we must proclaim / preach the
mystery of Christ’s resurrection,
– that those who listen and believe will be obtain God’s
forgiveness (healing).
• Preaching is not a joke. It is not for
entertainment.

Our preachings should produce
• repentant Christians (those who frequently examine
their conscience, pray, go to confession, communion,
and listen to the Word of God).
• committed Christians (those engaged in the church
and in the world with all their troubles, committed to
building the kingdom of God, kingdom of peace, justice,
righteousness, harmony, respect for human rights,
freedom, natural family values, eradication of poverty,
etc).
• evangelized Christians, in order words.

• Today’s preachings or sermons are sometimes /
many times are boring, phony, full of baloney,
moralistic, without direction, etc.
• Many preachers would like to entertain rather
than give solid food for the heart, mind and soul.
(How much time do our preachers prepare?)
• On the other hand, people must pay attention to
the preacher’s serious reflections on Jesus and
find ways and means to apply them in their lives.
• They should not tempt their priests to trivialize
their ministry by demanding more jokes and
gimmicks.

• Preachings are supposed to make us closer to
Jesus and more committed to him.
• The original disciples felt they were witnesses to
all that happened to Jesus (from baptism up to his
death and resurrection).
• Good preaching helps us to rise from sin and
death, and induces us sincere repentance and
genuine renewal.

• All parishioners must seek Christ and his
message of peace, joy, love and salvation
through active participation in the liturgy, ongoing
formations and dialogues with the pastors and
listening to good preachers.
• Our parishes, communities and families are
places where we can deepen our faith.
• We use the resources (time, space, money) of our
parishes, etc. to help proclaim that Jesus is truly
risen (not to indulge in tsismis).

• In the eucharist, we celebrate the joy of the risen
Christ.
• We receive during holy communion Jesus who is
alive, the one whom God raised from the dead.
• In the eucharist, we are strengthened to make
our faith in him alive and active in the Church
and in the world.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace
• Lousy homilies
• Homilies without
spiritual depth
• Misunderstood
concept of sermon or
homily
• Long and boring
homilies
• No sense of mission
• Life without faith in
the Risen Lord
• No hope of the
resurrection
• Homilies focused on
Christ
• Homilies from a
credible homilist
• Faith in the
resurrection
• Receives holy
communion

Suggested Songs
• Biyayang Mula Sa ‘Yo (Offertory)
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxbmC_LVJrQ
• God is Alive (Recessional)
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Y7L0NocBU
• Resucito
• Tell the World of His Love
• Where is this Jesus? (for meditation)
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LecAQyAdhvs

• Dear sisters and brothers,
• Your engaged faith is a proof that you
really believe in the Risen Lord.
• Fr. Cielo

1st Easter C

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