Svondo 31 Kurume – March;

Zuvaguruguru roKumuka kwaJesu kurufu

Chiverengo chokutanga:
Mabasa 10,34a.37-43

Inzwai chiverengo chinobva mubhuku raMabasa Avapositori
34Pita akataura kumhuri yaKorneriasi achiti:
37 “Ndiroro shoko rakaparidzwa muJudhea yose,
kubvira kuGarirea mushure meruombeko rwaiparidzwa naJohani. 38 Mwari akazodza Jesu weNazareti naMweya Mutsvene, uye akamupa simba.
Munozivawo kuti akafamba achiita zvakanaka,
achiporesa vose vainge vari pasi pesimba raDhiyabhori, nokuti Mwari aiva naye. 39 Isu tiri zvapupu zvezvinhu zvose zvaakaitwa
munyika yavaJudha neJerusaremu. Vakamuuraya
nokumuturika pamuti.
40Mwari akamumutsa pazuva retatu akamuratidza,
41 kwete kuvanhu vose, asi kunesu vakasarudzwa
naMwari kuva zvapupu, isu takadya nokunwa naye
mushure mokumuka kwake muvafi; 42 uye akatiti
tinofanira kundoparidza, vanhu nokupupura kuti
ndiye akagadzwa0 naMwari, kuva mutongi wavapenyu navakafa.
43 Vaporofita vose vanomupupurira kuti munhu
wose anotenda kwaari, anoregererwa zvitadzo
zvake muzita rake.”
Shoko raTenzi.

Rwiyo rwokutsinhira:
Nziyo 118,1-2.16-17.22-23. (D – 24)

(D) – Iri ndiro zuva rakaitwa naTENZI, ngatifarei kwazvo tipembere mariri.
1Tendai TENZI nokuti wakanaka,
mwoyochena wake hauperi narini.
2 Isiraeri ngaiti, “Mwoyochena wake hauperi
narini.”
(D) – Iri ndiro zuva rakaitwa naTENZI, ngatifarei kwazvo tipembere mariri.
16 Simba rorudyi rwaTENZI rinosimudzira
kukunda, simba rorudyi rwaTENZI rinoita
zvinogara zvakadaro.
17Handimbofi asi ndichatorarama ndigorondedzera
mabasa aTENZI.
(D) – Iri ndiro zuva rakaitwa naTENZI, ngatifarei kwazvo tipembere mariri.
22Dombo rakarambwa navavaki,
ndiro rakazova dombo guru rapakona.
23Uku kuita kwaTENZI, chinhu chinoshamisa.
(D) – Iri ndiro zuva rakaitwa naTENZI, ngatifarei kwazvo tipembere mariri.

Chiverengo chechipiri:
VaKorose 3,1-4

Inzwai chiverengo chinobva mutsamba yaPauro kuvaKorose
1 Hama dzangu, kana makamuka pamwechete
naKristu kudai, tsvakai zviri kumusoro kuna Kristu
kwaagere kurudyi rwaMwari. 2 Isai mwoyo yenyu
kune zvokudenga, kwete zvapasi pano. 3Ndinodaro
nokuti makafa uye kuti upenyu hwenyu hwakavigwa
pamwechete naKristu muna Mwari. 4Panenge iye
Kristu upenyu hwedu, azozviratidza ipapo, imiwo
muchazoratidzwa muinaye mumbiri.
Shoko raTenzi.

kana

Chiverengo chechipiri: 1 VaKorinde 5,6b-8

Inzwai chiverengo chinobva mutsamba yokutanga yaPauro kuvaKorinde
6Hama dzangu, hamuzivi here kuti mbiriso shomanana inofutisa mukanyiwa wose? 7Bvisai mbiriso
yakare kuti muve mukanyiwa mutsva. Izvo zviri
izvowo chaizvo zvamuri zvokuti hamuna kufutiswa,
nokuti Kristu hwayana yedu yePasika yakaitwa
chibayiro. 8 Naizvozvo ngatichengetei zuva guru
kwete nembiriso yakare, mbiriso yokuipa mwoyo
nezviito zvakaipa, asi kuva nechingwa chisina
mbiriso chokuva pachokwadi, uye chine chokwadi.
Shoko raTenzi.

Kupemberera Shoko Rakanaka:
1 VaKorinde 5,7b-8a

Areruya, Areruya. Kristu hwayana yedu
yePasika yakaitwa chibayiro. Naizvozvo
ngatichengetei zuva guru. Areruya.

Shoko Rakanaka: Johani 20,1-9

Inzwai Shoko Rakanaka rakanyorwa naJohani
1 Pazuva rokutanga revhiki, Maria Magadharena
akafumouya kuguva kuchakasviba. Akaona kuti
dombo rakanga rabviswa paguva. 2 Ipapo akamhanyira kuna Pita nomumwe mudzidzi uya waJesu
wapamwoyo akati kwavari, “Vabvisa Tenzi muguva
zvino hatizivi kwavamuisa. 3 Pita akabuda pamwechete nomumwe mudzidzi
uya vakaenda kuguva kuya. 4 Vakamhanya vose.
Mumwe mudzidzi uya akamhanya zvokusiya Pita,
akandotanga kusvika kuguva. 5 Asi akakotama
achidongorera akaona machira erineni ari
pakadaro asi iye haana kupindamo.
6 Simoni Pita akazouyawo achimutevera akapinda
muguva. Akaonawo machira aya ari pakadaro apo.
7Nejira duku raiva kumusoro wake rakanga risiri
pano mamwe machira, asi rakanga rakapetwa riri
paro roga.
8Mumwe mudzidzi uya akatanga kusvika paguva,
akapindawo akaona akatenda. 9 Kusvikira ipapo
vakanga vasati vanzwisisa Magwaro Matsvene
anoti, “Anofanira kumuka kuvakafa.”
Shoko Rakanaka raTenzi.

kana manheru:

Shoko Rakanaka:
Ruka 24,13-35

Inzwai Shoko Rakanaka rakanyorwa naRuka
13Pazuva rokumuka kwaJesu, vamwe vaviri vavadzidzi vake vaienda kunomumwe musha wainzi
Emausi, waiva makiromita gumi nerimwechete
kubva kuJerusaremu, 14 vachitaurirana nezvezvinhu
izvi zvose zvakanga zvaitika. 15 Pavakanga vachitaura vachikurukurirana, Jesu pachake akaenda
pedyo akafamba navo. Asi vakaita chidzimira
vakatadza kumuziva. Jesu akati kwavari, “Ko, chii chamuri kutaurirana
muchifamba kudai?” Vakamira kuti mbikiti vakati
surududu. Mumwe wavo ainzi Kiropasi akamupindura achiti, “Ndiwe woga here muenzi wemuJerusaremu, asingazivi zvinhu izvi zvakaitikamo
mazuva ano aya?” Iye akati kwavari, “Zvinhuiko
izvozvo?”
Ivo vakati kwaari, “ZvaJesu weNazareti, aiva
muporofita, ane simba guru muzviito nomushoko
pamberi paMwari, napamberi pavanhu vose, uye
kuti vapristi vakuru navatongi vakamukwirira dare
kuti atongerwe rufu, vakamuroverera pamuchinjikwa. Asi taivimba kuti ndiye aizonunura
Isiraeri. Chimwewo ndechokuti zvino atova mazuva
matatu zvaitika. Chimwezve ndechokuti mamwe
madzimai echikwata chedu vatikangaidza. Vaenda
kuguva mangwanani ngwanani vakashaya
chitunha chake. Vadzoka vavakuti vaona chiratidzo
chavatumwa vari kuti mupenyu. Vamwe vedu
vatanga tinavo vaendawo kuguva, vakaona zvinhu
zvakaita sokutaura kwanga kwaitwa namadzimai,
asi iye havana kumuona.”
Jesu ndokuti kwavari, “Oo, inga muri mazirema
chaiwo avanhu! Mune chinono chaicho kutenda
zvose zvakataurwa navaporofita. Zvakanga
zvisingafaniri here kuti iye Kristu atambudzike
saizvozvi achizopinda mumbiri yake?” Ndipo paakatangisa nokuna Mosesi navaporofita vose,
achivatsanangurira muMagwaro Matsvene ose
zvinhu zvakanangana naiye pachake.
Pavakanga vava kuda kusvika pamusha wavaienda, akaita seavakupfuurira. Asi vakamugombedzera vachiti, “Garai nesu nokuti kwava kuda
kuvira zuva rapera.” Saka akapinda kundogara
navo. Paakanga ari pakudya navo, akatora chingwa akachikomborera ndokuchimedura akachipa
kwavari. Maziso avo akabva azaruka vakabva
vamuziva, asi iye akabva anyangarika kwavari.
Vakataurirana vachiti, “Mwoyo yedu haina kunge
yava kutopisirira here mukati medu paanga achitaura kwatiri munzira; paya paanga achitizarurira
Magwaro Matsvene?”
Vakabva vasimuka nguva yakareyo vakadzokera
kuJerusaremu. Vakasvikowana vane gumi nomumwechete vaya vakaungana navamwe vavaiva
navo, vakati, “Tenzi wamuka zvechokwadi uye
azviratidza kuna Simioni.” Ivowo vakavataurira
zvakanga zvaitika panzira, uye kuti vakamuziva sei
pakumedura chingwa.

Shoko Rakanaka raTenzi
MARCH 31ST 2024.

EASTER SUNDAY.

FIRST READING
“We ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”
ACTS 10: 34a, 37 – 43

In those days: Peter opened his mouth and said, “You know the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The Word of the Lord.

 
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 
Psalm 118: 1 – 2, 15c – 17, 22 – 23 (R.) 24

R/. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
Or: 
Alleluia.

Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say, 
“His mercy endures forever.” R/.

“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds;
his right hand is exalted.
The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds.”
I shall not die, I shall live
and recount the deeds of the Lord. R/.

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done,
a marvel in our eyes. R/.

SECOND READING
“Seek the things that are above, where Christ is.”
COLOSSIANS 3: 1 – 4

Brethren: If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The Word of the Lord.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
1st Corinthians 5: 7b, 8a

Alleluia.
Christ, our Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed; let us, therefore, celebrate the festival in the Lord.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“He must rise from the dead.”
JOHN 20: 1 – 9

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.  So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”  So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.  Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.  And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.  Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.  Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

The Gospel of the Lord
GOSPEL REFLECTION: Glory Beyond Imagination!
March 31, 2024

“Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” (Matthew 28:5–7)

The Lord has truly risen! Alleluia! Sin and death have been destroyed, and new life has been offered to all who cling to the Savior in faith. What a glorious day we celebrate today!

Matthew’s Gospel, quoted above, is read at the Easter Vigil Mass. Prior to the reading of this Gospel are seven Old Testament readings, each followed by a psalm, as well as a New Testament reading, another psalm and the Gospel. There are seventeen readings in all at the Easter Vigil! For that reason, the Easter Vigil is called “the mother of all vigils.” Though many people have not had the opportunity to participate in the Easter Vigil, it is helpful to understand it, because its structure and length reflect the awe and wonder we must have at the Resurrection of Christ.

The Easter Vigil Mass begins in darkness, after the sun sets, with all the lights out in the Church. Outside, a new “blazing fire” is lit and blessed that symbolizes the Light of Christ that dispels all darkness. From that fire, the Easter candle and other candles held by the faithful in the church are lit, and the new light illuminates the church. The procession into the church with the candles is followed by the singing of the ancient hymn the Exaultat. That hymn is the Church’s announcement of the Resurrection of Christ and is filled with profound theology, presented with youthful excitement and amazement. The tabernacle remains empty as a way of inviting the faithful to anticipate the celebration of the Eucharist once again. The lengthy Liturgy of the Word follows, as it recounts the history of God’s plan of salvation. Finally, the Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated within the Mass that culminates with the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist.

Why is so much solemnity given to this celebration? Because Easter is worth it! Nothing ever has been and nothing ever will be more glorious than the triumph of the Son of God over sin and death. Easter must fill us with awe and wonder. Because of His death and Resurrection, our lives are changed forever. Therefore even if you are not able to participate in the “mother of all vigils,” try to learn the lessons this vigil teaches.

Among the many lessons we can learn from the Easter Vigil is that God’s glorious plan of salvation unfolds over time and then culminates with glory beyond imagination. This is especially depicted through the many readings in the Liturgy of the Word. The first reading for that Mass comes from Genesis and recounts the six days of creation. We then read the story of Abraham, our father in faith, and how his trust in God was tested when he was told to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, in a prefiguration of the Father in Heaven offering His only Son for us all. We then read the story of Moses leading the people out of Egypt from slavery through the Red Sea. The waters of the Red Sea are a symbol of Baptism that crushes sin and leads us to freedom. Readings from the prophets Isaiah, Baruch and Ezekiel follow, revealing the unfolding of God’s promise of the gift of salvation to come.

At times in life, we can become impatient. We tend to want what we want when we want it. But the lesson of the Holy Scriptures is that God’s plan is not only perfect but is also fulfilled only in accord with God’s timing. This is His perfect wisdom. It’s a wisdom that we cannot always comprehend. In the end, if we embrace the perfect plan of God in our lives, we will share in the Resurrection of Christ. Nothing could ever be better than this. There is nothing that this world can offer us that even comes close to the glorious reward of sharing in the Resurrection of Christ.

As we celebrate the great Solemnity of Easter, reflect, today, upon the fact that God’s plan for your life is perfect. It’s a plan that God wants to unfold for you one step at a time. The end result is the glory of the Resurrection! It’s a life of perfection with Him in Heaven when every tear will be wiped away. It’s a plan that removes every sin, sorrow and suffering, and leads you to the fullness of joy. The way to embrace that plan is to take one step at a time as God leads. Little by little, God wants to change you, free you, forgive you, strengthen you and set you on the path to glory. Believe in the most awe-inspiring glory that you could ever share in. Believe in the promise of the Resurrection. Make sharing in it your one and only goal in life, and let God lead you down that path, one step at a time.

PRAYER:
My resurrected Lord, the glory that we celebrate today, the glory of Your Resurrection, is far above anything I can imagine. The new life given to all who surrender their lives to You is glorious and awe-inspiring. Please help me to keep my mind and heart fixated upon this glorious promise and to always allow You to lead me toward it, one step at a time. Jesus, I trust in You.