Psalm for Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021

Reflections

Psalm 118:  1-2, 16-27, 22-23   (Read)

“This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad.”

Jesus’ risen presence among us

is living proof of God’s enduring love. 

As the psalmist says, “God’s love endures 

forever.”  The Lord’s deliverance is cause

for joy.  Just when we were down, the Lord 

raises us up. The joyful shout of deliverance

is heard. We are on firm ground after all – 

Christ has become our cornerstone.

In the Psalm we read in advance of the 

Paschal Mystery. Christ, who is rejected 

and then exalted, becomes the foundation

stone of the new People of God -- 

“I shall not die, but live and declare the 

works of the Lord.” This is Jesus speaking 

about His own resurrection and about His 

food, which is to do the work of the Father.

The Psalm says, “The right hand of the 

Lord has struck with power; the right hand 

of the Lord is exalted.” Our days of mocking 

our Savior are over; we no longer hurl insults 

at Him. 

Our Savior has risen. “By the Lord has this 

been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.”

“The joyful shout of deliverance is heard in 

the tents of the victors.” The Psalm celebrates 

a great victory over death. This victory is 

delivered by the Lord’s right hand, a clear 

notice in advance of the power of the Son of God.

Our risen Savior has defeated death and the 

grasp that sin has on us. And having been saved,

what are we to do? What is our commission? 

St Peter tells us in today's first reading, “He 

commissioned us to preach to the people and 

testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God.” 

(Acts 10:42)

Christ has become our cornerstone. “The stone 

the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

Christ has become a source of strength for us, 

despite his apparent weakness that day on the cross, 

when He died a shameful death. Only the Lord 

could have done this remarkable thing:

“This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad.”

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

 
1.  The Psalm speaks of a great victory over death, 'I shall not die, but live.'  
Tell of how you share in Christ's victory over death and what this means to you.

2.  Having been saved from death, the psalmist says he will 'declare the works of 

the Lord.'   Speak of how you are empowered by our Lord's resurrection to go forth 

and proclaim the Gospel.