Readings for Sunday, April 1 — Easter Sunday

Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-9

Suggested Reflection Questions:

• Easter liturgies are full of “Alleluias” after so many weeks without them. We go right to the joy of Easter, but for the first witnesses to the empty tomb, things were still confusing. Can you put yourself in the place of Mary Magdalene when she finds the empty tomb? What emotions do you think you would have felt if you had been the first one at the empty tomb that first Easter morning?
• The Scriptures do not tell us that anyone actually saw the moment of Jesus’ resurrection, yet somehow the disciples believed. Does belief come easily for you, or not? Where do you think belief comes from?
• What does it mean to you that Jesus rose from the dead? What implications does the resurrection have for your spirituality and how you live your life?
• What are some of your favorite Easter hymns? What are some lyrics from those hymns that stand out to you? How does your choice of those lyrics reflect your personal belief in Easter?

Bonus Questions for the Triduum:

Holy Thursday:

• What does the Eucharist mean to you? How do you feel when you receive the Eucharist?
• Think of the last meal that you ate in the presence of others. What were the conversations like around you? What was the ambience of the setting? Who was there? Why do you think Jesus chose to have a meal in celebration of his sacrifice for us?
• Imagine yourself at the Last Supper. Can you imagine how you would be feeling? After having this meal with Jesus, how do you imagine the disciples felt when they learned Jesus was betrayed by one of them?

Good Friday:

• What cross are you carrying in your life right now? How does it feel to know that Jesus suffered with his cross and understands human suffering?
• Imagine yourself as a disciple at the foot of the Cross. What thoughts would you be thinking?

Easter Vigil:

• The many readings tonight are like pages in the scrapbook of our faith family. As we flip through that scrapbook, what do you notice about the big picture of God’s love story with us?
• If you attended the Vigil Mass, what was it like to experience the initiation of RCIA candidates into your parish community?