Monday within Easter Octave – 10th April 2023 – Acts 2,14.22-33; Mt 28,8-15
Fulfillment of Davidic Psalm
Today’s first reading is Peter’s first sermon after he and other apostles received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Peter, as leader of the new community, boldly proclaims that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the people gathered in Jerusalem and is the fulfillment of the promises made by God in ages past. His address follows a pattern that became common in the early Church: 1) an explanation of what was happening; 2) the proclamation of death, resurrection and glorification of Jesus Christ; and 3) an exhortation to repentance, a change of life and baptism. In this context, Peter focuses on the psalm of David and shares that David was not talking about himself when he spoke about God not abandoning the chosen one to Hades or allowing the faithful one to undergo corruption. Peter points out that these words of the psalm are fulfilled in Jesus, the descendant of David. Jesus was liberated from death and death had no power over him. Finally, Peter boldly proclaims that he and the other apostles are witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection and his living presence among men.
