Sunday Dive

Episode 029: Just As He Said (Mass Readings for Easter Vigil 2020)

Episode Summary

In our episode today, we explore the resurrection account from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew (writing arguably to a Jewish audience) begins his Gospel by emphasizing that Jesus rises on a Sunday. What is the significance of a Sunday resurrection for a Jew? Hint: It has something to do with the creation account. Later in the Gospel, Jesus refers to the disciples as “his brethren”, a likely and significant reference to Psalm 22. Why significant? Because, though Psalm 22 is best known for its stirring prophecies of Christ’s passion, it actually ends in passionate exclamations of victory!

Episode Notes

Bibliography/Resources

• The Gospel of John (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture Series)
• Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week by Pope Benedict XVI
• Mass Readings Explained by Brant Pitre
• Verbum Bible Software - www.verbum.com

References

• Mark 16:1 - "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him."
• Jesus predicts his resurrection six times in the Gospel of Matthew: Mt 12:40; 16:21; 17:9; 17:23; 20:19
• Psalm 22:22 - "I will tell of thy name to my brethren"
• Hebrews 2:11-12 - "That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, “I will proclaim thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:14 - "If Christ had not been raised [...] then your faith is in vain."