St. Martin I, pope & martyr  

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 2: 14, 22-23

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and,

with a loud voice, addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all foreigners now staying in Jerusalem, listen to what I have to say. About Jesus of Nazareth. God accredited him and through him did powerful deeds and wonders and signs in your midst, as you well know.

You delivered him to sinners to be crucified and killed, and in this way, the purpose of God, from all times, was fulfilled. But God raised him to life and released him from the pain of death; because it was impossible for him to be held in the power of death. David spoke of him when he said: I saw the Lord before me at all times; he is by my side, that I may not be shaken.

Therefore, my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced; my body, too, will live in hope. Because you will not forsake me in the abode of the dead, nor allow your Holy One to experience corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life, and your presence will fill me with joy.

Friends, I don’t need to prove that the patriarch David died and was buried; his tomb is with us to this day. But he knew, that God had sworn to him, that one of his descendants would sit upon his throne and, as he was a prophet, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah. So he said, that he would not be left in the region of the dead, nor would his body experience corruption.

This Messiah is Jesus; and we are all withnesses that God raised him to life. He has been exalted at God’s right side; and the Father has entrusted the Holy Spirit to him; this Spirit, he has just poured upon us, as you now see and hear.

 

Ps 16: 1-2a, & 5, 7-8 9-10, 11

keep safe, O God; you are my hope. 

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 28: 8-15

In fear, yet with great joy, the women left the tomb and ran to tell the news to his disciples. Suddenly, Jesus met them on the way and said, “Rejoice!” The women approached him, embraced his feet and worshiped him. But Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid! Go and tell my brothers to set out for Galilee; there, they will see me.”

As the women proceeded on their way, some of the guards went into the city, and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests met with the elders, and decided to give the soldiers a large sum of money, with this order, “Say that his disciples came by night while you were asleep, and stole the body of Jesus.

If Pilate comes to know of this, we will explain the situation and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers accepted the money and did as they were told. This story has circulated among the Jews until this day.

 

Reflection：

The bold and fearless proclamation of Peter in the first reading stands in stark contrast to truly sad and even pathetic attitude displayed by the chief priests in the Gospel. Whereas the disciples are now rejoicing in the fulfillment of God’s promise, the very persons to whom Jesus was sent, still choose to remain blind and unbelieving.

Unable now to contain the truth, they choose instead to spread a lie – one that they themselves most likely do not believe. There is perhaps nothing sadder than when human beings choose to lie to themselves. But that’s precisely what the chief priests do in the Gospel. Freed from their fear, the disciples now rejoice.

We can only imagine what was transpiring in the hearts of the priests and elders. One thing is certain though, it could not have been joy.