Easter Sunday B

Welcome to our Bible
Study
Easter Sunday B
1 April 2018
In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

1st reading: Acts 10:34.37-43
 34 Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that
God shows no partiality. 37 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."

 34 Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that
God shows no partiality. 37 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." We focus on God raising Jesus.

God’s Impartiality
 34 Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that God
shows no partiality. 37 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.
Witnesses
 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.
Commissioning
 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!

God’s impartiality
 34 Peter proceeded to
speak and said, "In
truth, I see that God
shows no partiality. 37
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.
Commentary
 In v.34, Peter declares that God
has no favoritism.
 V.37 situates how God has
been fair to everyone, in Judea
(south) and Galilee (north)
 V.38 continues how God
anoints Jesus with the Holy
Spirit and power.
 V.38b shifts the subject to
Jesus, doing good and healing /
exorcising.
 The same verse gives a
comment: God was with him.

Witnesses
 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.
 In v.39, Peter attests that
they, the apostles, are
witnesses to Jesus’ activities
both in Galilee (country of
the Jews) and in Jerusalem.
 They attest that the Jews
have put Jesus to death.
 In vv. 40-41, the subject
shifts to God again. God
raises Jesus up on the third
day and allows him to
appear to the apostles, who
are God’s chosen witnesses.
 The witnesses ate and drank
with Jesus after his
resurrection.

Commissioning
 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."
 In v.42, we presume that
the “he” is Christ. Christ
commissions them to
preach and to testify (give
witness) that he is
assigned by God as a
judge of all.
 V.43 includes all the
prophets of old as
witnesses.
 V.43b indicates the
benefit of believing in
Jesus:
 forgiveness of sins
(salvation)

Reflections on the 1st reading
 After all the commotions brought about by the death of
Jesus comes new life.
 For Jesus, new life is restoring to his original shape and
even more, now he is invincible, not subject anymore to
torture and death.
 For the apostles, new life is no longer just following
Jesus or learning his teachings, but taking
responsibilities.
 The apostles have to preach and give witness to Jesus’
victory over sin and death.
 As Christians of today, after all the learnings and
yearnings to follow Jesus, how do we show to the
world, to our families, to our officemates and people
around that we are responsible Christians?

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.

 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 what is above.

 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
 In v. 1, St. Paul (or his disciple) enjoins
baptized Christians to set their hearts
on what is above (something spiritual).
 V.2 repeats the idea of v.1. Our
attention should move from what is
earthly (material) to what is heavenly
(spiritual).
 We must be keen on spiritual values.
 V.3 gives the reason why: we have died
in Christ (through baptism) and our life
is with Christ…
 V.4 states at the end of time, faithful
Christians will appear too appear with
Christ in glory.

Reflections on the 2nd reading
 Christians who have grown deep in their faith must
already have higher values (spiritual values).
 They must set their priorities on the interests of God.
 The interests of God are none other than truth, justice,
charity, ethical life, communion with his Son.
 Christians should not stay on a lower level in which the
priority is putting more money into our pockets, more
time and energy spent to satisfy our senses (stomachs),
satisfying our base instinct, no sense of self-sacrifice.
 We should not remain materialistic, consumeristic and
toxic in our lifestyle.

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.

 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.

Discovery
 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.“
Verification
 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.
Faith
 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!

Discovery
 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.“
Verification
 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.
Commentary
 V.1 begins the story of the resurrection. The first
character to appear is Mary of Magdala.
 She goes to the tomb before daybreak and sees
the stone cover removed from the tomb.
 In v.2, right away she reports to Simon Peter and
to John.
 She does not interpret well the removal of the
stone.
 She believes the body of Jesus has been stolen
overnight (or perhaps it was transferred without
their permission), for she says, “we don’t know
where they put him.”
 In v.3, Peter and John goes to verify immediately.
 V.4 indicates the speed of the two. John runs
faster than Peter (older kasi).
 In v.5, John bends down and sees the burial cloths
left behind.
 In v.6, Peter goes straight into the tomb and sees
the same.
 V.7 describes where the cloth is placed, etc.
 Why all these details? Do they have meaning?

Faith
 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.
 V.8 indicates the entrance of
John.
 Now the two are in the tomb.
 John sees and believes (in the
resurrection).
 How about Peter? Does he
now believe?
 V.9 indicates that later on Peter
and others will come to believe
when they begin to understand
the scriptures.
 The scriptures (OT) is very
important to develop one’s faith
in the resurrection.

Reflections on the gospel reading
 Diligence helps us to develop our faith.
 First, we must have the diligence to respond to facts or
reports and verify them.
 Second, we must be diligent enough to read and
interpret the scriptures correctly.
 We put our personal discoveries and our learning from
the bible and make proper conclusions.
 We can develop our faith in the Risen Lord even if
Jesus does not appear in person to us.
 We must be able to conclude well the signs of his
resurrection.

Tying the 3 readings
 The first reading speaks of the resurrection of
Jesus.
 The second reading speaks our own
resurrection in our baptism as Christians.
 The gospel reading speaks of Jesus’
resurrection without describing how Jesus rose
from the dead.

How to develop your homily / sharing
 In this Easter Sunday, we talk nothing else than
the resurrection of Jesus.
 We do not allow any speculations how he
exactly resurrected. We will waste a lot of time.
Nobody knows.
 Instead, we must diligently seek the meaning of
Jesus’ resurrection, which is a matter of faith.
 If we have faith, we can have a lot of
meaningful conclusions that can change our
life.

 The gospel reading simply describes the “Empty Tomb.”
 The “Empty Tomb” (empty of Jesus’ body) is subject to
interpretations.
 Like Mary of Magdala, one would interpret it as a case
of theft and robbery.
 Like Peter and John, we will interpret it as not really
empty, for the linens remain there.
 But at this point, we will not still have the meaningful
interpretation.
 We give ourselves time to reflect upon and see the
meaning of Jesus’ resurrection.

 In the first reading, after many days of reflection
and appearances of Jesus himself, the apostles
learn the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection.
 It is an act of God.
 His resurrection is a call for the apostles to
preach and to give witness to Jesus who is
victorious over death.
 We, believers, must continue in preaching and
giving witness to our faith.
 Otherwise, faith in the resurrection is
meaningless.

 The second reading deepens the meaning of
the resurrection.
 It talks about change of mentality and priority.
 It talks about changing of value system.
 As believers, we should not have appetite
anymore to what is earthly.
 We should set our hearts and minds to what
belongs to the spiritual realm.
 We stop feeding on our base instincts, but on a
self cultured by God.

 The eucharist is the celebration par excellence
of the resurrection of Jesus and ours too.
 The eucharist nourishes our faith in the
resurrection of Jesus.
 The eucharist strengthens us in our mission, as
we respond properly to the demands of our faith
in the resurrection.
 In the eucharist, we can experience
resurrection now, not just in the world to come.

Our Context
 Instruments of death
 Meaningless lives
 Too much data without
proper interpretation
 Information without
formation
 Laziness to discover, to
move from one’s comfort
 Inability to make
judgment to make one’s
faith grow
 Immature faith, faith
without responsibility
 Intelligent Christians
who can make proper
conclusions to signs of
the times
 Responsive faith
 Happy Christians
 Empowered Christians
who are not ashamed to
proclaim their faith
 Christians who speak
the language of the
Church and of God
http://olasianofm.googlepages.com/home

Suggested Songs:
 This is the Day
 Wake Up Now My People
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSZ
W2x5u4No
 Where is this Jesus? (for reflection)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lec
AQyAdhvs

The Prayer:
 "Lord Jesus Christ, you have triumphed
over the grave and you have won for us
new life and resurrection power. Give me
the eyes of faith to see you in your glory.
Help me to draw near to you and to grow in
the knowledge of your great love for us and
your great victory over sin and death."

Easter Sunday B

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