Easter Sunday Readings, Annotated

Key:

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these scriptures tell us to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1 Acts 10:34, 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 healingall 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 dayand 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 usto 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."

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.

Reading 2  Colossians 3:1-4

Brothers and sisters:
If then you were raised with 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 life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.

Sequence Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
    Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
    Christ, who only is sinless,
    Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
    The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
    What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
    The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;
bright angels attesting,
    The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
    to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
    Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
    Amen. Alleluia.

Alleluia 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

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

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.

What these scriptures tell us about God

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good and healing

God was with him.
This man God raised 
He commissioned us

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 right hand of 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

This is the day the Lord has made

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

Christ, who only is sinless, reconciles sinners to the Father.
The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection
Christ my hope is arisen
Christ indeed from death is risen

our new life obtaining
King, ever reigning!
Christ, our paschal lamb

What these scriptures tell us to do

believes in him

rejoice and be glad
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

Offer your thankful praises!

feast with joy in the Lord

came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark
she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them
They both ran

he saw and believed.

Palm Sunday Readings Annotated

Key:

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

What these readings tell us not to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources 

At the Procession with Palms – Gospel  Luke 19:28-40

Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples. He said, "Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. And if anyone should ask you, 'Why are you untying it?' you will answer, 'The Master has need of it.'" So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying this colt?" They answered, "The Master has need of it."  So they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the colt, and helped Jesus to mount.

As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began topraise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen. They proclaimed: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He said in reply, "I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!"

At the Mass – Reading I  Isaiah 50:4-7

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back.I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

R. (2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: "He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him."
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;
They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.But you, O LORD, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: "You who fear the LORD, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!"
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Reading 2 Philippians 2:6-11

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Verse Before the Gospel Philippians 2:8-9

Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

Gospel  Luke 22:14-23:56

When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with youbefore I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.

"And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table; for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed." And they began to debate among themselves who among them would do such a deed.

Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as 'Benefactors';  but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves. It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me,  that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom;  and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

"Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail;  and once you have turned back,you must strengthen your brothers."

He said to him, "Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you."

But he replied, "I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me."

He said to them, "When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?" "No, nothing, " they replied. He said to them, "But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, He was counted among the wicked;and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment." Then they said, "Lord, look, there are two swords here." But he replied, "It is enough!"

Then going out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not undergo the test." After withdrawing about a stone's throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done." And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test."

While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, "Lord, shall we strike with a sword?" And one of them struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, "Stop, no more of this!" Then he touched the servant's ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards and elders who had come for him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? Day after day I was with you in the temple area, and you did not seize me; but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness."

After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance. They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter sat down with them. When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, "This man too was with him." But he denied it saying, "Woman, I do not know him." A short while later someone else saw him and said, "You too are one of them"; but Peter answered, "My friend, I am not." About an hour later, still another insisted, "Assuredly, this man too was with him, for he also is a Galilean." But Peter said, "My friend, I do not know what you are talking about." Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly. 

The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, "Prophesy!  Who is it that struck you?" And they reviled him in saying many other things against him.

When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, "If you are the Christ, tell us, " but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe,  and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth."

Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, "We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Christ, a king." Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews? He said to him in reply, "You say so." Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, "I find this man not guilty." But they were adamant and said, "He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here."

On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, "You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore, I shall have him flogged and then release him."

But all together they shouted out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us."— Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder. —Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, "Crucify him!  Crucify him!" Pilate addressed them a third time, "What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore, I shall have him flogged and then release him." With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' At that time people will say to the mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed.

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, "This man was innocent beyond doubt." When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events. Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.

What these scriptures tell us about God

found everything just as he had told them

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue

Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear

The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced

But you, O LORD, be not far from me

O my help, hasten to aid me.

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 

he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness

he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross

because of this, God greatly exalted him

I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you

This is my body, which will be given for you

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
which will be shed for you.
I am among you as the one who serves. 

When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?" "No, nothing, " 

prayed so fervently 

one of them struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, "Stop, no more of this!"

he touched the servant's ear and healed him

Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter

do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun.

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit

What these scriptures tell us to do

those who had been sent went off 

 speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.I have not rebelled, have not turned back.
I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

He relied on the LORD
But you, O LORD, be not far from me

O my help, hasten to aid me.I will proclaim your name to my brethren

in the midst of the assembly I will praise you

You who fear the LORD, praise him

give glory to him

revere him

Take this and share it among yourselves

do this in memory of me

let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. you must strengthen your brothers

one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack

Pray that you may not undergo the test

prayed so fervently 

pray that you may not undergo the test
do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children 

fear of God

Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. 

He … was awaiting the kingdom of God

 they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment

What these scriptures tell us not to do

an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. 

The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as 'Benefactors'; but among you it shall not be so

Sirach 2 Annotated

Sirach 2

Key:

What this scripture tells us about God

What this scripture tells us to do

What this scripture tells us not to do

Hyperlink to additional resources 

1 My son, when you come to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials. 

2 Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity. 

3 Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great. 

4 Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient; 5 for in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation. 

6 Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.

7 You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall. 

8 You who fear the LORD, trust him, and your reward will not be lost. 

9 You who fear the LORD, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy. 

10 Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken? has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed? 

11 Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble. 

12 Woe to craven hearts and drooping hands, to the sinner who treads a double path! 

13 Woe to the faint of heart who trust not, who therefore will have no shelter! 

14 Woe to you who have lost hope! what will you do at the visitation of the LORD? 

15 Those who fear the LORD disobey not his words; those who love him keep his ways. 

16 Those who fear the LORD seek to please him, those who love him are filled with his law. 

17 Those who fear the LORD prepare their hearts and humble themselves before him. 

18 Let us fall into the hands of the LORD and not into the hands of men, for equal to his majesty is the mercy that he shows.

What this scripture tells us about God

Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; 

he forgives sins, 

he saves in time of trouble. 

equal to his majesty is the mercy that he shows.

What this scripture tells us to do

prepare yourself for trials. 

Be sincere of heart and steadfast

Cling to him

forsake him not

Accept whatever befalls you

be patient

Trust God 

wait for his mercy

turn not away 

trust him

hope for good things

Study the generations long past 

hoped in the LORD 

persevered in his fear 

called upon him

keep his ways. 

seek to please him

filled with his law. 

prepare their hearts

humble themselves before him. 

What this scripture tells us not to do

craven hearts 

drooping hands

treads a double path

the faint of heart who trust not

lost hope

disobey not his words