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The Catholic Community of St. John the Evangelist

1061 S. Ellington Parkway, Lewisburg, TN 37091

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

April 5, 2026 • Week 39

When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory. — Colossians 3:4

Seeds of Faith

There is a brevity, a certain terseness, in the scripture readings for Easter Sunday. Peter’s speech in Acts is built of direct, pointed sentences. Paul’s letters are based on straightforward creed-like statements. Even the Gospel story only briefly recounts what will turn out to be one of the most remarkable events in human history—the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Advertising agents call these encapsulated points of information “bullet points.” Scripture scholars call them kerygmata, or “kernels” of our faith. Actually, “kernels” or “seeds” are good terms for these statements, since throughout the Easter season, we will hear in the Acts of the Apostles, the Letters of Paul, and the Gospel accounts of the days following the Resurrection exactly how these kerygmata began to flower, how they continued to grow through the life of the early church. May these Easter “seeds” of faith serve a similar purpose for us, too, so that the life of the Risen Christ will flourish in us and through our witness in the coming days.

— Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Mass Schedule

Announcements

Parish Events & Notices

Easter Egg Hunt — There will be an Easter Egg Hunt today after Mass.

CCD Classes — CCD classes will not meet today but will resume next Sunday.

Easter Vigil Congratulations — Congratulations and blessings to all those who were baptized, confirmed, and received into full communion at the Easter Vigil.

Holy Week Thank You — Thank you to all those who helped in any way with Holy Week: altar servers, lectors, choir, musicians, decorators, ushers, Eucharistic ministers, church grounds, and more.

Easter Flower Donations — There are envelopes on the tables in the hall and vestibule if you would like to make a donation for Easter flowers in memory of a loved one.

Tennessee Register — Renewal for the Tennessee Register started in February. Each parish in the diocese must ensure that 70% of its parishioners receive this diocesan Catholic newspaper at a cost to our parish of over $2,400. Please mail your payment or drop it in the collection basket.

Online Giving — Use the parish QR code to make your donation online.

Today’s Readings

First Reading — Peter is an eyewitness: The Lord is risen (Acts 10:34a, 37–43).

Psalm — This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118).

(1) Second Reading — All who are baptized, set your hearts in heaven (Colossians 3:1–4).

(2) Second Reading — Christ our Passover is sacrificed; therefore let us celebrate (1 Corinthians 5:6b–8).

Gospel — Three witnesses, Mary, Peter, and John; each responds to the empty tomb (John 20:1–9) or Matthew 28:1–10.

Readings for the Week

Monday: Acts 2:14, 22–33; Ps 16:1–2a, 5, 7–11; Mt 28:8–15

Tuesday: Acts 2:36–41; Ps 33:4–5, 18–20, 22; Jn 20:11–18

Wednesday: Acts 3:1–10; Ps 105:1–4, 6–9; Lk 24:13–35

Thursday: Acts 3:11–26; Ps 8:2ab, 5–9; Lk 24:35–48

Friday: Acts 4:1–12; Ps 118:1–2, 4, 22–27a; Jn 21:1–14

Saturday: Acts 4:13–21; Ps 118:1, 14–21; Mk 16:9–15

Next Sunday: Acts 2:42–47; Ps 118:2–4, 13–15, 22–24; 1 Pt 1:3–9; Jn 20:19–31

Reflecting on the Word

Soon after we return to the prepared environment for faith formation after the celebration of Easter, I gather the children around the Paschal candle. I tell them that the Paschal candle represents Jesus’ risen light and life, which has come back stronger and brighter and can never be put out. Jesus wants to share his risen light and life with all of us, and he does so at our baptism. I then light a candle for each of the children and turn off the room lights. The brightness of the many candles in the darkened room is dramatic and the children are captivated by the glow of the candles. I reflect with them about the brightness in the room because of the light of Jesus, and we ponder together where that light resides. “What happens to Jesus’ light when we snuff out the candles?” The children unanimously decide that Jesus’ light is within us and we are the ones to take Jesus’ light everywhere we go. Sometimes, we come up with ideas about how we take Jesus’ light into the world.

In Baptism, we enter into a covenant with God. That covenant plucks us out of darkness and places us in dazzling light. Once we are within that light, darkness can threaten but not fully overpower it. That is the power of the risen light and life of Jesus. That light empowers us to be courageous in being the agent of God’s love in the world. Our covenant with God makes it imperative that we glorify God in the care of all around us as we remember that Jesus’ light shines on all, regardless of who they are. It is in living our covenant faithfully that we celebrate Easter as it should be celebrated.

— Excerpted from Living the Word

Mission Statement

We, the members of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, recognize and respect our diverse and multicultural character. By the grace of God, we will nurture our spiritual community through prayer, service, and example to become one family in Christ.