Daily Thoughts: Once again Pope
Francis gives us some food for thought – “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.” (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!
Daily 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!
Daily Blessings: Happy Easter
everyone! I hope this finds you enjoying a beautiful Easter Sunday morning. In
about four hours I am off to the airport as today is a travel day for me. I am
headed to Jamaica, West Indies where I will begin a retreat with the
Passsionist Volunteers International tomorrow. It has been a busy Lent 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 year as my ministry will continue all through April into the
first week of May. I will not be returning home for any length of time until
May so I ask you to continue your prayers for this Wandering Preacher! I also
ask your prayers for the Passionist Volunteers this week, they would be greatly
appreciated!
My prayer of blessing today is that all
of you will be touch by the joy of Easter 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
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