Saturday, April 16, 2022

Readings for April 17, 2022 annotated, Easter Sunday, The Mass of Easter Day, Lectionary 42

This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks  will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context. 

Information about the meaning the original Hebrew or Greek of what seem to be key words is provided in blue. It is provided beneath the specific reading the words are in. 

Hyperlinks to collections or analysis of other scriptures addressing principles similar to those set out in these readings are provided after each reading.

Excerpts collected in yellow  at the end of this post tell us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. 

Excerpts collected in green  at the end of this post tell us about something God wants us to do. 

 

Reading I: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 

Peter proceeded to speak and said: 

***

“You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, 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. 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. This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, 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.

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. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”

anointed = χρω = chriō  Blue Letter Bible  consecrating to office, and furnishing with the necessary powers for its administration; to consecrate to an office or religious service; is used of kings, priests, prophets; to smear or rub with oil; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon to be declared, proclaimed by an oracle; furnish with a thing; experience, suffer, be subject to  

power = δναμις = dynamis  Blue Letter Bible ability; force, inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth; moral power and excellence of soul; might; power for performing miracles;  R. Trench, New Testament Synonymsoutcomings of that mighty power of God; powers being by Him lent to those who were his witnesses and ambassadors; pointing ... to new and higher forces ... which have entered and are working in this lower world of ours; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  might; strength, power, ability to do anything; influence, authority; faculty, capacity

good = εεργετω = euergeteō  Blue Letter Bible  to bestow a benefit; to have efficacy, force or value; to be profitable, expedient; bestow benefits; to be philanthropic; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon do good services or show kindness; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon(alternate)beneficent, bountiful  

healing = ἰάομαι = iaomai   Blue Letter Bible  to make whole, wholesome;to cure, heal;to free from errors and sins, to bring about (one's) salvation; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon heal, cure, treat;cure the effects of, counteract; repair; recover

oppressed = καταδυναστεω = katadynasteuō  Blue Letter Bible  to exercise harsh control over one, to use one's power against one; to exercise dominion against; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon get control  

with = μετ= meta  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon in the midst of, among, between; in common, along with, by aid of; together; in conjunction; in one's dealings; into the middle of, coming into or among; into the midst of; participation; Blue Letter Bible  in the midst of; amid, among; with one as leader; into the middle of, into the midst of; association, fellowship, participation

raised = γερω = egeirō  Blue Letter Bibleto arouse, cause to rise; to awake; to raise up, produce, cause to appear; bring before the public;  rouse from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; raise up one “down” with disease, lying sick;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon awaken, rouse, stir up; prick up; keep awake 

visible = μφανς = emphanēs  Blue Letter Bible  manifest; to show, exhibit; giving proofs; apparent; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon exhibit, display; to be seen; to be manifested; to be exemplified;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon(alternate) visible to the eye, appearing bodily; palpable; without doubt

rose = νστημι = anistēmi  Blue Letter Bible  to stand up or to make to stand up; lifted; to cause to rise up, raise up; appear, stand forth; leap up, spring up, start up;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   make to stand up, raise up; rouse to action, stir up; rise up, rear itself; set out 

judge = κριτς = kritēs  Blue Letter Bible  one who passes or arrogates to himself judgment on anything; an arbiter; the leaders or rulers of the Israelites;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon judge, umpire

 

believes = πιστεω = pisteuō  Blue Letter Bible to be persuaded of, and hence, to place confidence in, to trust, signifies, in this sense of the word, reliance upon, not mere credence; to entrust, commit to; to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in; the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul; credit; to have a faith directed unto, believing or in faith to give oneself up to; to commit oneself trustfully;Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicontrust, put faith in, rely on; comply; feel confident that a thing is

 

receive = λαμβνω = lambanō  Blue Letter Bibleto take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it;to take up a thing to be carried; to take upon one's self;to take to one's self, lay hold upon, take possession of, i.e. to appropriate to one's self; catch at, reach after, strive to obtain; to receive a person, give him access to one's self; have, hold, obtain, receive; to take with one for future use;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  take hold of, grasp, seize; take by violence, carry off as prize or booty; possess;catch, find out, detect; apprehend by the senses; apprehend with the mind, understand; determine, estimate; take in hand, undertake; have given one, get, receive;receive hospitably; receive as produce, profit; take hold of, lay hold on;seize and keep hold of, obtain possession of

 

forgiveness = φεσις = aphesis Blue Letter Biblea release, from bondage, imprisonment, etc.; liberation from captivity; dismissal, release; remission; pardon of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty; forgiveness, pardon, of sins (properly, the letting them go, as if they had not been committed); Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon letting go, release; quittance from; discharge from

 


Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 

R  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,“His mercy endures forever.”

R  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
“The right hand of the LORD has struck with power; the right hand of the LORD is exalted.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.”

R  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderfulin our eyes.
R  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

made, struck = עָשָׂה=ʿāśâ  Blue Letter Bible to do, fashion, accomplish, make; work, make, produce; to deal (with); to act, act with effect, effect;to attend to, put in order; to observe, celebrate;accomplish, advance; follow, fulfill;be industrious, labor; yield; produce by labor

rejoice = גִּיל= giyl  Blue Letter Bible  exult, be glad, delight; be joyful; leap for joy, to spin round 

glad = שָׂמַח= śāmaḥ  Blue Letter Bible to rejoice, be glad;gladden, make glad;to brighten up; make blithe or gleesome;cheer up; make merry;take pleasure in; joyful or cheerful   

give thanks = יָדָה= yāḏâ  Blue Letter Bible to throw, shoot, cast; laud, praise; to profess, confess;to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands);(make) confess(-ion); praise, celebrate

good =טוֹב= ṭôḇ  Blue Letter Bible  good, pleasant, agreeable; excellent; rich, valuable in estimation; appropriate, becoming; happy, prosperous, kind, benign; right (ethical); welfare, prosperity, happiness

mercy = חֶסֶד= ḥeseḏ  Blue Letter Bible   goodness, kindness, faithfulness; favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy; kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy; lovely appearance; of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures; redemption from enemies and troubles;in preservation of life from death; in quickening of spiritual life; in redemption from sin; in keeping the covenants; fidelity; abundant, plenteous in kindness (goodness); greatness of thy mercy; everlasting; plural mercies, deeds of kindness, the historic displays of lovingkindness; desire, ardor; zeal; benignity, benevolence, pity, mercy; grace

endures forever = עוֹלָם= ôlām  Blue Letter Bible long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient; forever, always; perpetuity; continuous existence, perpetual; everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity; time out of mind (past or future); always; unending

say = אָמַר= 'āmar  Blue Letter Bible certify; declare; to command, to promise, to intend; to avow, to avouch; bear forth, bring to lightto speak, utter; to say in one's heart, to think 

right hand = יָמִין= yāmîn  Blue Letter Biblethe stronger and more dexterous; prosperous; the right or south side   

struck—see “made” above

power =חַיִל= chayil  Blue Letter Bible  strength, might, efficiency, wealth; able; virtuous(-ly); worthy(-ily); uprightness, integrity; fitness

exalted =רוּם= rûm  Blue Letter Bibleto rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted; to lift up; exalt; set on high; hold up; raise, rear, cause to grow

declareסָפַר= caphar  Blue Letter Bible recount, relateto recount (something); take account of, reckon; take account of, carefully observe and consider; rehearse, declare; speak, talk; relate; narrate; celebrate; polish, inscribe 

works = מַעֲשֶׂה= maʿăśê Blue Letter Bible deed, thing done, act; work, labour; undertaking, enterprise; achievement; thing made; product

rejected = מָאַס= mā'as  Blue Letter Bible to reject, despise, refuse; spurn; disdain, loathe; contemned 

cornerstone = רֹאשׁ= rō'š  Blue Letter Bible  head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning; top, tip; choicest, best; excellent; principal; highest, supreme

and

פִּנָּה= pinna  Blue Letter Bible   a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain; bulwark, chief, corner, stay, tower, prince of the people 

done = מִן= min Blue Letter Bible  from, out of, on account of; through; by; author, efficient cause; instrument; proceeding out of;the material out of which anything is formed, or from which it is derived;  source or origin;  the ultimate ground on account of which something happens or is done

wonderful = פָּלָא= pala'  Blue Letter Bible  to be marvelous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action; to be beyond one's power; great; singular, distinguished; to do an extraordinary, hard, difficult, arduous thing; to be distinguished; wondrous

 

Reading II: Colossians 3:1-4 
If then you were raisedwith Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your lifeis hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

raised = συνεγερω = synegeirō  Blue Letter Bible  to raise together; to rouse in company with; to revivify (spiritually) in resemblance to;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott,A Greek-English Lexicon  help in raising, stirring up; rising together, reviving  

seek = ζητω = zeteo  Blue Letter Bible  to seek after, endeavor; inquire for; require, demand; strive after, endeavor, to desire; metaphorically, to "seek" by thinking, to "seek" how to do something; strive after, desire; to seek (i. e. in order to find out) by thinking, meditating, reasoning; to inquire into; to seek in order to find; to crave, demand something from someone; aim at;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  inquire for; search after, search out; inquire into, investigate, examine; require, demand; desire; feel the want of 

above = νω = anō  Blue Letter Bible  in a higher place; on high; upwards, above; inland, up from the coast; brim; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  upwards; the upward roadgoing up the country (i.e. inland); aloft; on high; in heaven; on the upper side; northward; inward from the coast; higher

right hand = δεξις = dexios  Blue Letter Bible  a place of honour or authority;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  on the right hand or side; fortunate; dexterous, ready, skillful, clever; courteous, kindly 

Think of = φρονω = phroneō  Blue Letter Bible   to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for; to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience); set the affection on; regard, savour; think soberly; some habit of thought (expressed by deeds); to have understanding, be wise; to think or judge what one's opinion is; be careful, to be modest, not let one's opinion (though just) of himself exceed the bounds of modesty; to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious; to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  have understanding, be wise, prudent; to be well disposed; think; feel by experience, know full well; to be minded to do; to have certain thoughts for or towards any one, to be so and so minded toward; comprehend; to be in possession of one's senses

earth = γ= gē  Blue Letter Bible  the ground, the earth as a standing place; the inhabited earth, the abode of men and animals; the earth as opposed to the heavens; a country, land enclosed within fixed boundaries, a tract of land, territory, region; arable land; the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe; ground; the earthy material out of which a thing is formed, with the implied idea of frailty and weakness; things and beings that are on the earth, involving a suggestion of mutability, frailty, infirmity, alike in thought and in action;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   earth (including land and sea); land, country; ground as tilled; estate, farm; particular kinds of earth or minerals, e.g. fuller's earth 

died = ποθνσκω = apothnēskō  Blue Letter Bible  to die off or out; dry up, perish by rotting; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  die; renounce   

life = ζω= zōē  Blue Letter Bible  the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate;of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical; life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  living, i.e. one's substance, property; way of life

hidden = κρπτω = kryptō   Blue Letter Bible to cover, conceal, keep secret; to hide, conceal, to be hid;  escape notice; keep secret;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  secret character, concealed, deep seated 

appears, appear = φανερω = phaneroō   Blue Letter Bible to make visible, clear, manifest," known; to uncover, lay bare, reveal; to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way; make actual and visible, realized; to become known, to be plainly recognized; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon make manifest; reveal, make clear; have been demonstrated; make known or famous; become so

glory = δξα = doxa  Blue Letter Bible  opinion, judgment, view, estimate; splendour, brightness; magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace; majesty; most exalted state; honor; absolute perfection; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  the opinion which others have of one, estimation, repute; good repute, honour, glory; glory, splendor, magnificence, celestial beatitude

 

***

Scriptures addressing similar principals are collected at We Grow in Godliness Over Time, Gradually  and  We Must Make Real Effort/Sacrifice to receive all that God offers, But It Is Well Worth It  

  

Alleluia: Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:7b-8a  

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed; let us then feast with joy in the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Paschal = πσχα = pascha  Blue Letter Bible to pass over by sparing; Passover; Passover sacrifice, the Passover feast  

feast = ορτζω = heortazō  Blue Letter Bible to keep festival, to keep a feast day, celebrate a feast; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  keep festival or holiday;  celebrate as a festival; celebrate by a triumph

 

Gospel: John 20:1-9 

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. 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.”

So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.

When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.

Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. 

came = ρχομαι = erchomai Blue Letter Bible denoting either "to come, or to go," signifies the act, in contrast with heko, which stresses the arrival; to come from one place to another; to come into being, arise, come forth, show itself, find place or influence; to come to a thing; to go;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  start, set out; come or go; to go a journey; any kind of motion 

early = πρω= prōi  Blue Letter Bible  the fourth watch of the night, from 3 o'clock in the morning until 6 o'clock approximately; the day-break watch; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon  early in the day, early, at morn  

dark = σκοτα = scotia  Blue Letter Bible  darkness due to want of light;dimness, obscurity (literally or figuratively;  metaph. used of ignorance of divine things;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  darkness, gloom; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon(alternate)  in the dark, in secret, secret 

ran = τρχω = trechō  Blue Letter Bible  of persons in haste;  to run or walk hastily; to exert oneself, strive hard; to spend one's strength in performing or attaining something; the exertion of all one's efforts; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  move quickly

went—see “came” above

know = εδω = eidō   Blue Letter Bible to know by perception; to have knowledge of, get knowledge of, understand, perceive; be aware, behold; to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to; to perceive, notice, discern, discover; to be skilled in; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon    to know; be assured; know how to do; versed in; cunning in 

went out = ξρχομαι = exerchomai  Blue Letter Bible  to go out of an assembly, i.e. forsake it;  to go or come forth of; depart; escape; get out; leave a place of their own accord; expelled or cast out; of those who come forth, or are let go, from confinement in which they have been kept; to go forth from one's power, escape from it in safety;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon go or come out of; withdraw from  

 

believed = πιστεω = pisteuō  Blue Letter Bible to be persuaded of, and hence, to place confidence in, to trust, signifies, in this sense of the word, reliance upon, not mere credence; to entrust, commit to; to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in; the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul; credit; to have a faith directed unto, believing or in faith to give oneself up to; to commit oneself trustfully;Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicontrust, put faith in, rely on; comply; feel confident that a thing is

 

understand—see “know” above

 

***

 

Some of the dynamics described in this and the other accounts of Jesus’ resurrection are considered  at  Fear does not equal Failure and Doubt does not equal Disqualification

 

What these readings tell us about God/His ways:

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power

He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil

God was with him

They put him to death by hanging him on a tree

This man God raised on the third day

witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead
He commissioned us to 
preach to the people and testify

he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead

To him all the prophets bear witness

everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name

This is the day the Lord has made

he is good

his mercy endures forever
His mercy endures forever

This is the day the Lord has made
the LORD has struck with power

the right hand of the LORD is exalted.

This is the day the Lord has made
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done

it is wonderful in our eyes

Christ is seated at the right hand of God 

your life is hidden with Christ in God

When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory

they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

 

 

What these readings tell us to do:

preach to the people

testify

believes in him

rejoice and be glad.
Give thanks to the LORD

say, “His mercy endures forever
rejoice and be glad.
declare the works of the LORD

rejoice and be glad.
rejoice and be glad

seek what is above
Think of what is above

Christ your life

came to the tomb 

early in the morning, while it was still dark

went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them

went out and came to the tomb

believe

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