The Readings for Easter Sunday 2014

First Reading: Acts 10:34–43

³⁴Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality,  ³⁵but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.  ³⁶You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all.  ³⁷That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced:  ³⁸how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.  ³⁹We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree;  ⁴⁰but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear,  ⁴¹not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.  ⁴²He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead.  ⁴³All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1–4

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  ²Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,  ³for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  ⁴When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Gospel: Matthew 28:1–10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  ²And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.  ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.  ⁴For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.  ⁵But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  ⁶He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.  ⁷Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you."  ⁸So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  ⁹Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.  ¹⁰Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."