The Risen and Living Jesus Christ truly transforms us. He draws us out of despair and sin to enter into a new way of life steeped in hope.
He reinstated Peter and the other apostles after they slunk into despair, especially considering how they fled from Him the night of his betrayal and compounded by a night of catching no fish whatsoever.
Christ gave them new purpose, which eventually led them to boldly proclaim His Name, even when the religious authorities ordered them not to, and they rejoiced that they were found worthy to suffer for the Name, as Acts recounts.
They grounded themselves in a powerful sense of hope, which is represented so powerfully in the reading from Revelation, describing Christ, Who was once dead and rose again, conquering death, as now reigning powerfully and giving us hope and courage to face any troubles in the world, knowing we live in and act in His victory.
It is truly reason for celebration, which was certainly on my mind as I marked the 20th Anniversary of my First Holy Communion, at St. Giles Family Mass where it happened. And we go forth celebrating, strengthened by Christ to live His love, which, as Father Carl put it in his homily today, is the criteria for serving Him.
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