Daily Gospel for April 11. Readings for today, Holy Saturday. Easter vigil

Reading for today April 11, Holy Saturday. Easter vigil.

Reading the Book of Exodus 14:15-15:1. The LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers." The angel of God, who had been leading Israel´s camp, now moved and went around behind them. The column of cloud also, leaving the front, took up its place behind them, so that it came between the camp of the Egyptians and that of Israel. But the cloud now became dark, and thus the night passed without the rival camps coming any closer together all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD swept the sea with a strong east wind throughout the night and so turned it into dry land. When the water was thus divided, the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. The Egyptians followed in pursuit; all Pharaoh´s horses and chariots and charioteers went after them right into the midst of the sea. In the night watch just before dawn the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic; and he so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly drive. With that the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel, because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians. Then the LORD told Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and their charioteers." So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth. The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, when the LORD hurled them into its midst. As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh´s whole army which had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not a single one of them escaped. But the Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians. When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore and beheld the great power that the LORD had shown against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses. Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the se

Daily Psalm. Exodus 15,1b-2.3-4.5-6.17-18.

(R). "I will sing to the LORD, his victory is sublime."

I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. He is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him. (R).

The LORD is a warrior, LORD is his name! Pharaoh´s chariots and army he hurled into the sea; the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea. (R).

The flood waters covered them, they sank into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, magnificent in power, your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy. (R).

And you brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance, the place where you made your seat, O LORD, the sanctuary, O LORD, which your hands established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever. (R).

Second Reading for today April 11. Letter to the Romans 6,3-1.

Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as (being) dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

Daily Gospel Aclamation for April 11, Holy Saturday.

(R). "Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!."

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
Let the sons of Israel say: "His love has no end." (R). 

The Lord’s right hand has triumphed; his right hand raised me up. I shall not die, I shall live and recount his deeds. (R). 

The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. (R). 

Daily Gospel for April 11. Matthew 28,1-10.

Reading for daily Gospel - (Easter Vigil of Holy Saturday - The Resurrection of Jesus) After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, "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." Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.".

Daily Gospel Commentaries by Pope Francis.

About Gospel of today - we see that women have a primary, fundamental role. Here we can identify an element in favour of the historicity of the Resurrection: if it had been an invented fact, in the context of that time it would not have been linked to the testimony of women.

The evangelists, on the other hand, tell us simply what happened: women are the first witnesses. This says that God does not choose according to human criteria: the first witnesses of the birth of Jesus are the shepherds, simple and humble people; the first witnesses of the Resurrection are women. And this is beautiful.

And this is in a certain sense the mission of women: of mothers, of women. To give testimony to the children, to the grandchildren, that Jesus is alive, he is the living one, he has risen. Mothers and women, let´s go forward with this testimony!

For God, our hearts count, how open we are to Him, if we are like children who trust. But this also makes us reflect on how women, in the Church and on the journey of faith, have had and still have a special role in opening the doors to the Lord, in following him and in communicating his Face, because the look of faith always needs the simple and deep look of love.

The Apostles and the disciples find it more difficult to believe. Women do not. Peter runs to the tomb, but stops before the empty tomb; Thomas must touch with his hands the wounds of Jesus´ body.

Also in our journey of faith it is important to know and feel that God loves us, not to be afraid to love Him: faith is professed with the mouth and with the heart, with the word and with love. (Catechesis St. Peter´s Square, April 3, 2013)

Pope´s quotes.

"Gaze upon the outstretched arms of Christ crucified, let yourself be saved over and over again" (04.10.2020 - @pontifex)

Daily Gospel, meditation in video for April 11, Holy Saturday.