Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Newman University invites you to join us in celebrating the 50 days of the Easter season with these reflections. All reflections will be available at https://newmanu.edu/easter-reflections.
April 5, 2026 – Easter Sunday
Kathleen Jagger, President
In today’s gospel, we see Mary of Magdala coming to Jesus’ tomb in the dark and she was surprised and probably confused to see the stone rolled away. She then ran to the disciples to tell them, indicating she didn’t know what to do or what it meant. So, we start with darkness and confusion, following the dreadful events culminating in the crucifixion of Jesus.
Mary was assuming someone had taken Jesus from the tomb and is desperate to know where He was taken. Her dedicated attention to Jesus remains even after his death. Then, when she returned with the disciples, they found the burial cloths left in the tomb. How could that be? Was this reminiscent for them of the raising of Lazarus? How could this immeasurable sacrifice lead to freedom and celebration?
Confusion remains, but just as the light of day breaks, this opens the possibility for optimism emerging from sorrow. This specifically helps Mary and the disciples begin to consider the enormous joy that accompanies His resurrection. A joy greater than the most joyful moments in anyone’s life, for it is everlasting for those who come to believe in the resurrection and live a life in search of harmony with Christ’s teachings. There is now hope despite our humanness, our failings, that we all might experience the afterlife with God in Heaven. Thus, on this Easter Sunday, may you be visibly joyful and spread that joy to everyone you encounter!
April 6, Easter Monday
Acts 2:14, 22-33; Matthew 28:8-15
David Pérez, Assistant Professor of Music
The readings today highlight the contrast between fear and doubt with the boldness we sometimes experience in our faith. In Matthew, the women go from fear to joy as they carry the news of the resurrection, while others suppress the truth. In contrast, Peter, with boldness and confidence, proclaims that Jesus is risen and exalted by God. These passages remind me that our faith journey often begins with uncertainty, but it can also grow into courage through the Holy Spirit, who gives us the confidence to become faithful witnesses of the miracles God performs in our lives. God gives us the strength to speak truth even when the truth is questioned or misunderstood.
April 7, Easter Tuesday
Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18
Hadassah Suffield ’25 Administrative Assistant
In our readings today, the first being Peter preaching to the crowds on Pentecost day, and the Gospel being Mary Magdalene weeping outside of the tomb, there is one similarity that struck me—both readings at their center are dealing with knowing Christ and who he is. The crowds at Pentecost do not know who Jesus is until Peter tells them that he is “Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Mary Magdalene does not recognize the risen Lord until he calls her by her name. May the Lent we have finished have prepared our hearts to be able to recognize Jesus when he is proclaimed to us and when he calls us by name.
April 8, Easter Wednesday
Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35
Rev. Mr. Koby Nguyen ‘20 Transitional Deacon
Quo Vadis — Where are you going? Tradition has it that this question was asked of St. Peter by Jesus as he was walking away from the city of Rome to escape the persecutions. Immediately, St. Peter turned back to Rome and would be crucified upside down in his final and most profound witnessing to Christ crucified yet resurrected. What was asked of St. Peter and, implicitly, of the crippled man in Acts and the two disciples walking to Emmaus can be asked of us too. Where are we looking for happiness? St. Peter gives us the answer. It’s not silver or gold. It’s not in safety from danger. It’s not even physical, miraculous healings. It is Jesus Christ that we seek! In Christ and with Christ, we find peace and where our hearts burn with joy.
April 9, Easter Thursday
Acts 3:11–26; Luke 24:35–48
Deborah Beumer, ASC Associate
Both passages center on the same turning point, encountering the Risen Christ. In Luke, the disciples move from disbelief to understanding as Jesus opens the Scriptures and commissions them as witnesses. Acts shows Peter, once fearful, now speaking boldly at the temple that the Messiah has been resurrected, calling the people into repentance and renewal. As the Old Testament predicted, the Messiah has been delivered. The resurrection is not only something to believe, but also something to proclaim with lives shaped by forgiveness, hope, and trust in God’s promise.
April 10, Easter Friday
Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14
Anna Engle, Assistant Campus Minister
At the break of dawn, Christ appears to his disciples who had caught nothing after a night of fishing. He tells them, “Cast the net to the other side.” They then catch 153 fish. 153 is the numeric value of the Hebrew phrase Ani Elohim (“I am God”). This encounter with Christ provides a grace for his disciples to bring people to Him. In Acts, we see Peter and John proclaim the Resurrection. Though they face arrest by the high priests, they are not deterred to share the good news, because it is by Christ all people are saved.
April 11, Easter Saturday
Acts 4:13-21; Mark 16:9-15
Ba Minh Nhat Nguyen, Newman Student
Lent was the time to prepare ourselves for the Resurrection of Jesus, the Lord our God who is the foundation of the Christian faith. This is Good News – without the resurrection, the promise of eternal life is nothing but a vague fairy tale. Be excited to proclaim the good news of the Resurrection, just as Mary Magdalene did. Be unwavering in proclaiming the good news like John and Peter. Believe in Christ who has defeated death. Let us pray for faith and boldness to proclaim the Good News of the Resurrected Jesus.
