April 15, 2020 - Easter Sunday Re-Lived!

As a reminder that we are meant to relive Easter Sunday each day this week, I share with you a past Easter message:

He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!! The first proclamation of this Easter message by Mary Magdalene is the most extraordinary and beautiful news ever. Death does not have the final say, life endures forever! What fantastic news for all of us!

We have been intentionally preparing for the celebration of Easter through the past forty days of Lent, so that we might more powerfully reflect on the joy of this day. Without Jesus offering us forgiveness of sins through His sacrifice on the cross we were doomed to death forever. Yet, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus has opened for us the way to eternal life. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

These words of St. Paul reflect to us the confidence and joy of the Resurrection. Death has always been our greatest fear and greatest unknown. Now, both have been conquered in Jesus Christ! Our active faith in Jesus Christ and His Church provides the remedy for sin and death, and will bring us resurrection to eternal life. Now death is the way to eternal life for those who believe in Jesus, and live according to his will.

The Resurrection appearances encouraged the apostles to know and believe that Jesus truly is God, Who does save us from sin and death. They received this truth in deep faith and rejoiced in it! Filled with the great joy of the Resurrection, they go willing to suffer anything for the sake of making Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection known to the world.

We come here to this altar to celebrate once again the extraordinary event of the Resurrection. Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection are once again re-presented to us. Are we inspired and transformed? Do we receive this message with the realization that sin and death are truly conquered in Jesus Christ? Our faithful commitment to Jesus and His Church and worthy reception of Holy Communion, is our elixir for eternal life! He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia, Alleluia!!