Live and Not Die
Dearest Father, Thank You, that because Jesus, the Lord's right hand, is exalted, I shall live and not die and declare the works of the Lord! As written in the Responsorial Psalm today.
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Today's Readings
Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
First Reading: Acts 10: 34a, 37-43
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Second Reading: Colossians 3: 1-4 or First Corinthians 5: 6b-8
Alleluia: First Corinthians 5: 7b-8a
Gospel: John 20: 1-9 or Matthew 28: 1-10 or, at an afternoon or evening Mass, Luke 24: 13-35
Reading 1, Acts 10:34, 37-43
Acts 10:34, 37-43 GNBDK
[34] Peter began to speak: “I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis.
[37] You know of the great event that took place throughout the land of Israel, beginning in Galilee after John preached his message of baptism.
[38] You know about Jesus of Nazareth and how God poured out on him the Holy Spirit and power. He went everywhere, doing good and healing all who were under the power of the Devil, for God was with him.
[39] We are witnesses of everything that he did in the land of Israel and in Jerusalem. Then they put him to death by nailing him to a cross.
[40] But God raised him from death three days later and caused him to appear,
[41] not to everyone, but only to the witnesses that God had already chosen, that is, to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from death.
[42] And he commanded us to preach the gospel to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God has appointed judge of the living and the dead.
[43] All the prophets spoke about him, saying that all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of his name.”
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
R. (24) 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 wonderful in our eyes.
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
Reading 2, Colossians 3:1-4
Colossians 3:1-4 GNBDK
[1] You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right-hand side of God.
[2] Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth.
[3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
[4] Your real life is Christ and when he appears, then you too will appear with him and share his glory!
Gospel, John 20:1-9
John 20:1-9 GNBDK
[1] Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the entrance.
[2] She went running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!”
[3] Then Peter and the other disciple went to the tomb.
[4] The two of them were running, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first.
[5] He bent over and saw the linen wrappings, but he did not go in.
[6] Behind him came Simon Peter, and he went straight into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there
[7] and the cloth which had been round Jesus' head. It was not lying with the linen wrappings but was rolled up by itself.
[8] Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed.
[9] (They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death.)
Dearest Father,
Thank You, that because Jesus, the Lord's right hand, is exalted, I shall live and not die and declare the works of the Lord! As written in the Responsorial Psalm today.
Psalm 118:16-17
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.
The Lord is Risen from the dead! Hallelujah!
Happy Easter!
The right hand of the Lord has struck with power, the right hand of the Lord is exalted.
That's the paradox of the Cross.
In the suffering and Cross of Christ, the right hand of the Lord struck with power.
In death, Jesus Christ, the Lord's right hand, is exalted.
By His suffering and death, He conquered sin and death, and won the victory for us!
Here's another version of the verse, that I really like:
Psalms 118:16-17 NET
[16] the Lord’s right hand gives victory, the Lord’s right hand conquers. [17] I will not die, but live, and I will proclaim what the Lord has done.
Because the Lord’s right hand gives victory, then I'm victorious in all the battles of life.
Because He conquers, then I'm a conqueror too and conquers all challenges of life.
Now, because He lives, I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord!
I shall not die but will only pass from life to life eternal.
Now because He lives, I shall not die but live - living the rich and satisfying life in Christ, now and forever.
John 10:10 NLT
[10] The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
John 10:10 TPT
[10] A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow!
Thank You, Lord!
If you want to know more how you can live the victory of Christ in your life daily, join me in our SpeakChrist RichLife Club. We'll do it together. St. Katharine Drexel, pray for us.
Live the RichLife in Christ today
In the Cross, Jesus, the right hand of the Lord, struck with power.
In death, Jesus, the right hand of the Lord, is exalted.
Now He lives, I shall not die.
In Christ, I live His RichLife, now and forever!
Free 🎁 for you. 👼
Jesus, the Lord's right hand, was dead.
Now He is risen!
Hallelujah, He won life and victory for us!
Psalm 118:16-17
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.
Now Your Turn
(Questions to ask yourself when scripture journaling)
What verses spoke to me strongly and powerfully from the scripture readings?
What is God saying to me in these verse or verses?
What does God want me to do today?
Journal prompts of the day
Are you living in Christ, the right hand of the Lord?
Is your life a testament to Christ's death and resurrection?
Are you living and declaring the good works of the Lord?
Your Actionable Steps to Do This Week:
Live in Christ, the right hand of the Lord.
Allow Christ to show His death and resurrection power through you.
Let your life declare the works of the Lord daily.
Let us pray:
If you want to live the rich life in Christ every day - live and not die, and declare the works of the Lord - give your life to Jesus.
That’s the first step.
Say this prayer with me:
Dearest Father,
Father, forgive me of my sins. I receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for making me now Your child and heir, with power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory, and blessing. Thank You that in Christ, Father, I live and not die, and declare the works of the Lord here on earth until I see You face to face in our eternal city.
In Jesus’ Name.
This is it for now. Until next time.
Vivo dives vitae in Christo. Live the RichLife in Christ.
P.S
If you want to develop daily discipline and consistently achieve what God wants you to be, do, and have, without struggle - live the rich life in Christ. Join the RichLife Club now. We’ll do it together.