Making a Joyful Noise on Easter Sunday –
04/20/2014
“If we think that things are not going
to change, we need to recall that Jesus Christ has triumphed over sin and death
and is now almighty. Jesus Christ truly lives…. Christ, risen and glorified, is
the wellspring of our hope, and he will not deprive us of the help we need to
carry out the mission which he has entrusted to us.
Christ’s resurrection is not an event of
the past; it contains a vital power which has permeated this world. Where all
seems to be dead, signs of the resurrection suddenly spring up. It is an
irresistible force. Often it seems that God does not exist: all around us we
see persistent injustice, evil, indifference and cruelty. But it is also true
that in the midst of darkness something new always springs to life and sooner
or later produces fruit. On razed land life breaks through, stubbornly yet
invincibly. However dark things are, goodness always re-emerges and spreads.
Each day in our world beauty is born anew, it rises transformed through the
storms of history. Values always tend to reappear under new guises, and human
beings have arisen time after time from situations that seemed doomed. Such is
the power of the resurrection, and all who evangelize are instruments of that
power.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium:
The Joy of the Gospel)
These words of resurrection today from
Pope Francis remind us of what Easter is all about. He challenges us to believe
in the empty tomb and like Mary of Magdala and disciple whom Jesus loved to
believe and proclaim that believe to all we meet. There is goodness and newness
of life today do we believe? The Messiah
is among us, the Messiah is one of us. Are we willing to bring the risen Christ
to the world?
"The Lord is risen, Alleluia! Happy
Easter everyone! I heard an interesting thought on today's Gospel last night.
The question was posed why when Peter and the other disciple (John) get to the
tomb, Peter goes in and John goes in but it is only John who believes? The
person's answer was that after three years of traveling with Jesus, seeing him
day in and day out when John saw how the cloths where left he knew that Jesus
had risen because he rolled up, he folded his bed lines in just the same way
every day.
It is an interesting theory, one that is
only speculation; however it does lead to an important aspect of our faith
journey. Believing, having faith is much easier if we have a relationship with
Jesus, with God. If we spend time with God, if we share ourselves, if we allow
God to share himself with us, it is much easier to have faith, to believe.
The mystery of Easter is about
relationship, it is about friendship with God so that when we encounter the
empty tomb we too will believe!
Easter Sunday blessings to all and don’t
forget to make a joyful noise with your life today!
Easter Sunday Prayer: Loving God, you
gift us today with Easter hope. We thank you for the journey that you made from
Bethlehem to Calvary. We thank you for all that you have shared with us, taught
us and lived for us. Grace us now with an Easter faith that looks into an empty
tomb and believes. Enliven our heart to be on fire with the hope that your love
is everlasting. May the Easter mystery make us proclaimers of your Word and
carriers of your Light. May we truly be joy filled Easter people today and
always! Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: Runners in faith
today is Easter, rest, relax and enjoy family and friends and believe!
Easter Sunday Blessing: Happy Easter
everyone! I hope this finds you enjoying a beautiful Easter Sunday morning. In
a couple of hours I am off to celebrate the 11:30 am mass at St. Barnabas Parish
in the Bronx. It will bring an end to my Lenten and Holy Week journey this
year. It has been a busy one but also a faith filled one. I thank all of you
for your prayers and good thoughts they certainly helped to keep me focused and
spirit filled. But I need to ask you to work overtime this as I leave tomorrow
morning for Jamaica, West Indies where I will be giving a retreat to the
Passionist Volunteers International from tomorrow evening until next Saturday.
Prayers for the volunteers and their director would be greatly appreciated!
My prayer of blessing today is that all
of you will be touch by the joy of Easter, the joy of the Gospel and the joy of
God’s love. On this most holy feast of
Easter, having journeyed with Jesus through his Passion, Death to this day of
Resurrection may our Good and Gracious God bless you and protect you from the struggles
and perils of life. May the God who so loves us that he gave us his only Son
touch you with that love today and always. And through the joyous grace of
Christ may God lead you to the banquet of lasting joy. Amen – Alleluia!
Enjoy your day and I hope you will get
to celebrate today with family and friends! Peace in Christ's Passion - Joy in
the Risen Lord...Fr. Paul
blessings always, safe travels, God Bless.
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