Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

In today’s First Reading, Acts 10:34-43 (during the seven Sundays of Easter the First Readings are from the book of Acts), we read the apostle Peter’s proclamation to Cornelius (a Roman military officer), his family, and friends, that God loves all people, and that He receives all who believe. Notice Peter’s proclamation: it is the account of Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances to His disciples. Notice also the assurance of the forgiveness of sins to all who believe in Jesus’ Name. Peter’s sermon, empowered by the Holy Spirit, worked! Cornelius and his household became Christians! Empowered by the Holy Spirit, let us also proclaim Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and redemption into eternal life for all who believe.
Holy Spirit, as You empowered Peter’s sermon and enabled Cornelius and his household to come to faith in Jesus, so empower our words and actions so that others are called to faith in the crucified and risen Jesus. Amen.

Notice the hope and assurance the psalmist proclaims in today’s Psalm, 16:1-11. He realizes that with the LORD he is safe, that not even death is to be feared, but that the LORD will keep him safe even in death. Notice that the last couple of verses hint at the resurrection, a hint that is fully realized in Jesus. Let us be filled with joy in His presence, now and forever.
Risen Jesus, enable us to trust You in life, death, and into eternal life. We give You thanks and praise that You have overcome all sin, evil, and death itself. Keep us rejoicing in You. Amen.

Today’s Second Reading, Colossians 3:1-4, asks us how our discipleship is going: where are our hearts and minds set, on earthly things, or on heavenly things? Since Christ is our Lord and Savior, let our minds be set on the things of the Lord; only the things of the Lord lead us and others to eternal life.
Holy Spirit, guide and fill our minds with the things that lead us to grow in every way into Jesus, the Head of the Church. Keep our focus on Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

The Gospel, Matthew 28:1-10, is a wonderful account of the resurrection. Notice the message given to the women, a message we do well to hear: Do not be afraid, He is risen, come and see, then go and tell. They did what they were told, and on the way, they met Jesus, Whom they worshipped. Let our lives be lives that come and see Jesus, and then go and tell about Him. Jesus is with us as we do.
Holy God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, open our ears, eyes, and hearts to the message proclaimed to the women on the morning of the resurrection: take away our fears, open the eyes of faith to see and the ears of faith to hear that Jesus is risen, then send us to go and tell the Good News! Amen.

Rejoice! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!