Easter Sunday, Year B

GOSPEL

Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.

When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the Mother of James, and Salome, brought spices with which to go and anoint him. And very early in the morning on the first day of the week they went to the tomb, just as the sun was rising.

They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ But when they looked they could see that the stone—which was very big—had already been rolled back. On entering the tomb they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right-hand side, and they were struck with amazement. But he said to them, ‘There is no need for alarm. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he has risen, he is not here. See, here is the place where they laid him. But you must go and tell his disciples and Peter, “He is going before you to Galilee; it is there you will see him, just as he told you.”’

(Mark 16:1–7)

DID YOU KNOW? 

Points of interest and Catholic lore 

• The Easter Triduum (which means ‘three days’), lasting from Holy Thursday evening to Easter Sunday evening, is the climax of the Church’s year.
• Holy Thursday is sometimes known as Maundy Thursday, a corruption of the Latin word for ‘commandment’, mandatum. This is to commemorate the ‘new commandment’ that Jesus gave his followers at the Last Supper: love one another as I have loved you.
• The stories of the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus were the earliest stories told and later recorded by the early church. The commemoration of the events of the Triduum is the earliest of Church celebrations, when the first Christians gathered to break bread together.
• Good Friday and Easter Saturday are the only days of the year on which Mass is not celebrated.
• The women come to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus early on Sunday morning because it is the first chance they have to do so. The Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. During this time no ‘work’ can be done, so the women must wait until dawn on the first day of the week.

EXPLORING THE WORD 

You could perhaps allow time to read over some of the many Scripture texts used over these three days of the Triduum. You could point out the unity of the three days and how the readings fit together. It is essentially one liturgy with various moments. It is not simply a re-enactment of the past but a way of drawing people into the present reality of the mystery of God.

• The death and resurrection of Jesus is the fundamental pattern of life for the Christian. Give some examples of dying and rising from your life or the lives of the saints.
• In what ways was the baptism of the neophytes a dying and rising to new life in Christ?
• In what ways did the liturgy of these days draw you into the mystery?

MAKING CONNECTIONS 

Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer 

• What memories of these three days do you want to remain with you always?
• Do you feel a sense of ‘amazement’ at what has happened to you?
• Reflect together on the ceremonies of the Vigil. Share responses and recollections. What was the highlight for you? What did it mean to you? How did you celebrate with friends and family? How will your life now change?
• Light a candle each time you pray during this Easter season as a sign of keeping the light of Christ consciously before you.
• Repeat this proclamation of the mystery of faith often this week:
  We proclaim your death O Lord, and profess your resurrection until you come again.

SHARING THE TRADITION 

A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ 

The neophytes now enter the period of mystagogy or post-baptismal catechesis. ‘This is a time for the community and the neophytes together to grow in deepening their grasp of the paschal mystery and in making it a part of their lives through meditation on the Gospel, sharing in the Eucharist, and doing the works of charity’ (RCIA, §234).

• Explore the meaning of this, and talk about how it may be carried out with the community.

SYMBOLS AND IMAGES 

The cross and the paschal candle are the central symbols of these three days. Death is conquered in new life. The darkness of the tomb is conquered by the light of Christ. Much of this symbolism is present in the baptism ceremony of the Easter Vigil. Explore it together.

LIVING THE WORD 

Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment 

• How will the community ‘rejoice in the resurrection’? How can the members of your broader community be drawn more deeply into this period of mystagogy? In what ways will the community celebrate the baptism of the elect? What roles are now open to the newly baptised? How does your community encourage them to be become participating members of your local parish?
• Use a candle and yellow flowers as a focus. Offer prayers of thanks for the gift of faith. Sing an Easter song. Choose one of the responses to a canticle or responsorial psalm from the Easter Vigil liturgy to conclude your prayer—for example:
  Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory. 
  or
  I will praise you Lord for you have rescued me.    
  or
  Lord you have the words of everlasting life.
• Be sure to celebrate with the newly baptised! Make a gift to them to mark this great occasion, perhaps a Bible, missal or a crucifix if they do not already have one.