One big reason for celebration during this Easter Season is that Jesus who once was dead is now alive forever and ever. As baptized people whose identity is joined with that of Christ's, we share in His dying and rising.
Case in point: the disciples, who are downtrodden from the experience of Jesus's death, and their own failings in the midst of it, are restored to new purpose in their lives and mission when the Risen Christ appears to them. I couldn't help but make the connection of Peter's jumping into the water with baptism, which signal the start of a new life. And as Christ fed the disciples with breakfast, so He feeds us, especially in the Eucharist.
The Apostles then went forth and proclaimed with boldness the message of faith, which was the beginning of the Church that gives us our mission today, because our spot in Heaven is secured.
It is an amazing work He accomplishes in our lives, so that we can go forth proclaiming Him, before all the world in this life, and in the age to come before His throne, for by His dying and rising, He is so worthy of praise.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Saturday, April 9, 2016
April 4, 2016: Annunciation of the Lord unto Mary
While delayed, I feel like putting in a good word for this important feast, which was delayed this year until April 4. (Notably, the timing of nine months before December 25 fell on Cross Friday. I heard something on Relevant Radio that early Christians believed life and death happened on the same day. And since they remembered Christ's death on March 25, they celebrated His Birth 9 months later on December 25.)
It's amazing what happens when someone says yes. While it seemed impossible that anyone could be born of a virgin, let alone God, all Mary had to do was say, "Yes," and God took care of the rest. It's a great model for us who follow the Lord as His disciples.
In my own life, I thought of this story right before this RE year began, when I was asked to take on a second class. I said yes, not knowing how things would turn out, and what a blessing it's been.
It's amazing what happens when someone says yes. While it seemed impossible that anyone could be born of a virgin, let alone God, all Mary had to do was say, "Yes," and God took care of the rest. It's a great model for us who follow the Lord as His disciples.
In my own life, I thought of this story right before this RE year began, when I was asked to take on a second class. I said yes, not knowing how things would turn out, and what a blessing it's been.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
April 3, 2016: 2nd Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday
Something I encountered recently suggested mercy is a way of life, not merely a gracious act in sparing one from deserved punishment.
Mercy is a new way of life that Christ breathed into the disciples when they were in a locked room, in great fear. Father Dan at St. Cornelius even indicated in his homily today that their hearts were locked, so nothing could come in, nor come out--not even fear. Jesus Christ released them from fear, doubt, and even guilt, by His very real presence, and sent them forth on a mission, which we see carried out in the first reading from Acts, as the Apostles works great signs, even in healings, in Christ's name.
Indeed, though we have much to fear, we can count on God's steadfast love and never-failing mercy to raise us up, because Jesus Christ is the One who was once dead, but then came alive again, having forever conquered death. He did it the lives of the Apostles, especially Thomas, who struggled to embrace the Good News of the Resurrection proclaimed to him by the others.
And this day, I celebrated how he did it in my life when I attended Mass in the very parish where I was baptized.
Mercy is a new way of life that Christ breathed into the disciples when they were in a locked room, in great fear. Father Dan at St. Cornelius even indicated in his homily today that their hearts were locked, so nothing could come in, nor come out--not even fear. Jesus Christ released them from fear, doubt, and even guilt, by His very real presence, and sent them forth on a mission, which we see carried out in the first reading from Acts, as the Apostles works great signs, even in healings, in Christ's name.
Indeed, though we have much to fear, we can count on God's steadfast love and never-failing mercy to raise us up, because Jesus Christ is the One who was once dead, but then came alive again, having forever conquered death. He did it the lives of the Apostles, especially Thomas, who struggled to embrace the Good News of the Resurrection proclaimed to him by the others.
And this day, I celebrated how he did it in my life when I attended Mass in the very parish where I was baptized.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
March 27, 2016: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
A new order of the ages has dawned now that Jesus Christ has resurrected from the dead, a reality announced by the Empty Tomb to those first disciples, and us. Our eyes are now fixed upward toward Heaven, where we can look forward to being in God's presence because Christ has won it for us by His Paschal Mystery. And as we strive toward Heaven, we proclaim this new reality that Christ is Risen, and lives forever, even in us His people whom He has brought to new Life, who have witnessed this Life abounding.
March 26, 2016: Holy Saturday Easter Vigil
It is a marvelous work that God has accomplished in saving His people that He created to be good. His salvation is something that we experience internally as His graces enter us, making us anew through and through. That is the power that comes as we join ourselves to Christ.
So the Resurrection is a reality that is embedded into our lives now. This story is our story, which God has brought about for the glory of His Holy Name.
So the Resurrection is a reality that is embedded into our lives now. This story is our story, which God has brought about for the glory of His Holy Name.
Friday, March 25, 2016
March 25, 2016: Cross Friday
It's a rather unpleasant day to say the least, that reminds of us the worst the world has to offer: suffering and death.
In coming to us as our Savior, Jesus didn't scorn the worst of the world. He became fully intimate with it, whereby He has redeemed suffering and death. They are now a means by which we can be free from the evils of the world and draw close to God who loves us so much He sent His Son to suffer and die for us, taking on the punishment we deserved for our sins, so that we could have healing, forgiveness, and Life in Him forever.
In coming to us as our Savior, Jesus didn't scorn the worst of the world. He became fully intimate with it, whereby He has redeemed suffering and death. They are now a means by which we can be free from the evils of the world and draw close to God who loves us so much He sent His Son to suffer and die for us, taking on the punishment we deserved for our sins, so that we could have healing, forgiveness, and Life in Him forever.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
March 24, 2016: Maundy Thursday
The Great Triduum has begun...
At a meal commemorating the Covenant by which God delivered His people from Egypt, Jesus Christ instituted a New Covenant in a meal that would be life-giving, in which He gave of His very self for His people. It gives Life because it compels us, according to His new commandment, to love one another, as He loved us.
As we love, and partake of this meal, we remember constantly what He has done for us.
At a meal commemorating the Covenant by which God delivered His people from Egypt, Jesus Christ instituted a New Covenant in a meal that would be life-giving, in which He gave of His very self for His people. It gives Life because it compels us, according to His new commandment, to love one another, as He loved us.
As we love, and partake of this meal, we remember constantly what He has done for us.
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