We proclaim it every Easter: Christ is risen from the grave!

If people weren’t willing to believe the testimony of those who’d seen Jesus,

the faith would soon die out.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊   

Ephesians 2:19-22

Now, you are no longer strangers or guests,

 Mary is the model of dedication to God.

Her willingness to bear Jesus,

and her unwavering faith throughout his life,

especially at the foot of the cross,

are seen as examples of profound

devotion and trust in God's will.

St. Irenaeus, bishop, martyr and doctor 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Genesis 18:1-15*

Abraham (...)

 Sometimes we can't see any way forward.

"God renews our hope in him."

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Genesis 21:5, 8-20

Abraham was a hundred years old

 "Jesus, make our hearts like yours!"

A heart that is willing to forgive others and extend mercy,

a willingness to open oneself to Jesus's influence

and allow Him to shape one's heart and life.

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Ezekiel 34:11-16

Indeed, the Lord says this:

The Church honors Blessed Junipero Serra.

He was a Spaniard, is a Franciscan.

His motto was: “Always forward, never back”

He give thanks to the Lord for his mercy and grace,

without looking back, propelled onward by joy.

St. Junipero Serra, priest

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Genesis 19:15-29

At daybreak the angels urged Lot, saying, "Hurry!

 "Christ is our rock."First, we need to, “ . . . laying aside all malice . . . all guile,

and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings.”　 then desire the Word of God,　

In Isaiah it says, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone,

Jesus is to be our fixed point and our foundation on which we stand.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊   

Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16 (or 16:6b-12, 15-16)

Sarai, Abram's wife

   "Accepting the way of the cross."
We renew our commitment to follow him, to go with Him wherever He goes.

We know that following Jesus also means accepting the way of the cross. 

The First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Genesis 18:16-33

The men went away

 "Christ calls us to look forward to eternal life."

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,

and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

After this the word of the Lord

＂I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”

The "keys" symbolize the power to bind and loose, metaphor for authority and power,

to govern the church and to declare forgiveness of sins.

Jesus is identifying Peter as the rock on which he will build his church.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 12:1-11

About that time king Herod

 "He must increase, but I must decrease" It demonstrates John' humility.

John acknowledges that Jesus is greater and

that his own importance should lessen as Jesus's increases.

Emphasizing that the ultimate purpose is to exalt Jesus.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Isaiah 49:1-68

Listen to me,