(no eucharistic readings),
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/040310.shtml
"AWAKE, O SLEEPER, ARISE FROM THE DEAD"
"Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you
light." —Ephesians 5:14
What did Jesus do on the very first Holy Saturday? His body was in the
tomb. However, in the spirit He may have gone "to preach to the spirits in
prison" (1 Pt 3:19). "The reason the gospel was preached even to the dead
was that, although condemned in the flesh in the eyes of men, they might
live in the spirit in the eyes of God" (1 Pt 4:6). Thus, Jesus may have
spent at least part of the first Holy Saturday preaching the gospel to the
dead. That's one possible interpretation of these two unusual verses in
First Peter.
Accordingly, we may be called today to pray for the physically dead. We
should pray for the spirits being purified in preparation for heaven. We
should follow the Spirit's lead in praying for the dead because this is an
act of faith in Jesus' and our resurrection (see 2 Mc 12:44-45; 1 Cor
15:29).
Also, we should pray and fast today for the spiritually dead. "You were
dead because of your sins and offenses, as you gave allegiance to the
present age and to the prince of the air, that spirit who is even now at
work among the rebellious. All of us were once of their company; we lived
at the level of the flesh, following every whim and fancy, and so by
nature deserved God's wrath like the rest. But God is rich in mercy" (Eph
2:1-4). We should pray for millions of unbelievers to accept the Lord's
mercy, repent of sin, and give their lives to the Lord. This will make
Easter that much more glorious as millions living and dead share in
celebrating the risen Christ.
Prayer: Jesus, I feel as did Mary and Mary Magdalene on the day after You
died. "As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for You,
O God. Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and
behold the face of God?" (Ps 42:2-3)
Promise: (None)
Praise: (None)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April
1, 2010 through May 31, 2010
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, October 9, 2009
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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