Readings for April 8, 2012, Easter Sunday

Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-9

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. 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?

Bonus Questions for the Triduum:

Holy Thursday:

• What does the Eucharist mean to you? How do you feel when you receive the Eucharist?

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?

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?