Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of Easter Octave, Year B, April 1st, 2024
Texts: Acts 2:14.22-33; Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-11; Matthew 28:8-15 

We see in today’s readings the Trial of the Truth. Man has always putting truth to trial. St. Peter tells us in his address how the people put the truth to trial. He tells us that the truth about Jesus was evident to everyone. This is because only a man approved by God could do the works, wonders and signs He did. However, the people went ahead to kill him so as to bury the truth. Hence, they tried the truth. When we stand for the truth we will always face trial from men. 

St. Peter goes ahead to tell us that truth always survives its trials. This is clear when he says, “But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” Though the people put Him to death to cover the truth, He resurrected from the dead. Resurrection is undisputable fact of the divine approval of Jesus. With resurrection the divinity of our Lord becomes undeniable. Only God could conquer death.  

They tried to cover the truth of resurrection

Today’s gospel reading tells us about the resurrection and how people put truth to trial again. They tried to cover the truth of resurrection. We read, “they gave a sum of money to the soldiers and said, ‘Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' ... So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.”

We are now the testimony that truth will always triumph. Though they tried to cover the truth, the news is everywhere; people believe it and celebrate it. No one can cover the truth. It is he who stands by the truth that endures; he is like a man who builds his house on rock, such house survives floods and storms. Let us, therefore, stand with the truth always. Falsehood may not come to light here and now, it will come to light in the world to come.  

Prayer 

O God, who give constant increase to your Church by new offspring, grant that your servants may hold fast in their lives to the Sacrament they have received in faith. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke