Thursday, April 24, 2025

Thursday in the Octave of Easter

(Acts 3:1126; Luke 24:35-48)

The number of adult Baptisms often signifies a thriving parish.  The newly baptized were likely attracted to the parish community by enthusiastic members or by the parish’s evangelical reputation.  Such a parish fulfills Jesus’ implicit instruction in today’s gospel.

After demonstrating to his apostles that he has truly risen, Jesus explains how his death and resurrection fulfill Old Testament prophecies.  He then prophesizes himself saying, “…repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations…”  His Word has gone out quite effectively to the nations for two millennia.  However, in some places there has been a decrease in followers.  Hence there is need to tell others that Jesus Christ may be met in the Christian community. 

Particularly among the young, the Church has lost credibility.  We can enhance its appeal by living fully the Gospel.  Certainly, our attention to the sacraments will convey their importance.  Perhaps more so, our care, truthfulness, and joy will convince others that Christ has an important part to play in their lives. 

Wednesday, April23, 2025

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

(Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35)

Surely of all the accounts of resurrection appearances the one proclaimed today has most captured people’s attention.  Movements are named after the “the Road to Emmaus.”  More than the others, it coincides with the Christian’s personal experience of the risen Christ in the Eucharist.

Catholics attend mass on Sunday just as the two disciples walk to Emmaus on the first Easter.  They hear readings from Scripture, but how exactly the Word pertains to Christ, “mighty in deed and word,” is not always clear.  So, Jesus in the person of the priest explains the relationship between the two.  Then the priest, again substituting for Christ, breaks bread with the people.  As they eat the Bread, they realize that they are communing with the risen Christ.  Finally, they go to tell others of Christ by their own “deeds and words.”

The “Road to Emmaus” summons both people and priests to greater fidelity.  Catholics need to attend Mass anticipating encountering Christ in both Word and Sacrament.  Meanwhile, priests should recognize their awesome responsibility of representing Christ.  As we carry out these summonses, Christ will renew our lives in his glory.

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

 

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

(Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18)

Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles reveals much more on examination than on first sight.  Peter’s sermon after receiving the Holy Spirit not only conveys the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection but also how the people should respond.

First, they are to repent of their faults.  This is no “once-and-for-all” experience but done continually throughout one’s life.  Second, they need to be baptized.  That is, they are to be connected to Christ through the Church.  Moreover, third, the baptism is to be made “in the name of Jesus Christ.” In other words, they are to claim Jesus as their teacher and Lord.  Finally, they are to receive the Holy Spirit, who will form them as equals with different roles within the Christian community.

Peter’s message applies to us as well as its first hearers.  We too need to continually reform not only to prevent slipping into old vices but to deflect coming temptations.  We also should strengthen our relationship with the Church that we might give support as well as receive it.  We want to conform more to the Lord by studying his actions and teachings in the gospels.  Finally, we should make every effort to conform ourselves to joy, peace, and love with which the Holy Spirit blesses us.

Monday, April 21, 2025

 Monday in the Octave of Easter

(Acts 2:14.22-33; Matthew 28:8-15)

The gospels provide two types of evidence for Jesus’ Resurrection.  All of the four speak of disciples finding his tomb empty.  Of course, this is only circumstantial evidence.  The clincher is Jesus’ appearance to his disciples.  Not only the gospels, but also St. Paul testify that Jesus appeared to them.

Today’s passage from Matthew’s gospel hints of the empty tomb but describes unequivocally a resurrection appearance.  Jesus addresses the women who evidently came to be proximate to his remains.  They had been informed by an angel that he had been raised.  Still, they are afraid when they see him probably because they were not sure that he was not a ghost.  The account also explains why more Jews did not accept the disciples’ announcement of the Resurrection.  It says that the soldiers guarding the tomb were bribed by Jewish leaders.  They were paid to say that his body was stolen.

After two thousand years many are still not convinced that Jesus was raised.  They take the testimonies of disciples as disingenuous.  However, we must not doubt the resurrection.  The apostles accepted martyrdom rather than deny it.  Furthermore, we have already been beneficiaries in being accepted into the Church.  The Resurrection will also provide us an eternal home with God.

Sunday, April 20, 2025

 First Sunday of Easter

(Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Col 3:1-4; Luke 24:1-12)

Today we celebrate the culmination of our faith. Christ has conquered death to reign in glory forever. With his victory, we too hope to overcome death. In the First Letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul describes death as “the last enemy.” It is seen as “the last” in two senses. It is the only remaining opponent and the most potent. Before looking at the Mass readings, we should examine why death provides such a great challenge.

All things being equal, no one wants to die. It is true that some, because they are in pain, would prefer their lives to end. But we are made not only to exist but to flourish. The fact that we cannot remain forever in this world seems like an affront to us. We look for a way to avoid death. Some focus on living healthily by exercising and eating only the appropriate portions of recommended foods. If this regimen seems harsh, one can simply avoid the thought of death. Many today direct their relatives to organize "celebrations of life" instead of funerals when they die. Until then, they live eating and drinking like the Epicureans of ancient times.

Besides fearing the return to nonexistence, we Christians worry about death for another reason. We wonder about God's judgment of us upon our passing. Will He find us just? All of us have sinned, perhaps grievously. Will we spend eternity mourning our trespasses? The women who visit Jesus' tomb can help us overcome these anxieties.

The women have followed Jesus from Galilee. They have supported his ministry with both resources and presence. On Friday, they saw Jesus die on the cross. They also noticed the place where he was buried. At the moment, there was no time to embalm his body without transgressing the Sabbath law. But as soon as possible on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb with spices. There they find the unexpected. Not only has the stone that closed the tomb been removed, but also Jesus' body is missing. When the angel announces to them that Jesus has risen, the women believe. Their first impulse is to tell the eleven apostles the good news.

The women show us how to live as followers of Jesus Christ. Like them, we must abide by the moral law, even the precepts that do not suit us. More than this, we must render service with works of charity. As Mother Teresa said, the poor are Christ in disguise. We must also accept the resurrection of the Lord Jesus in faith. Although it may seem foolish to some, eyewitnesses gave their lives offering testimony to it. Finally, we must share our faith in Jesus with others. Living this way, we need not fear death or judgment afterward.

The first reading comes from a sermon by Saint Peter. It indicates the dynamic that brought about Jesus' resurrection. God anointed him with His Spirit to heal all those oppressed by the devil. When Jesus was crucified, God acted again. He sent the same Holy Spirit to raise him from the dead. This Spirit will resurrect all of us who follow Jesus Christ in faith and love.

To ensure that we do not stray from Jesus Christ, we have the advice of the second reading. It urges us not to cling to the things of the earth: pleasure, money, fame, and power. Rather, to seek the goods of heaven: love, joy, and peace. By acting in this way, we will manifest the glory of the risen Jesus.  In our present life and in eternity, we will manifest the glory of the resurrection.