The Resurrection of the Lord (Cycle A, Year II)
Community Word: The Spirit of the Lord dwells upon those who believe in the resurrection.
Theme: We believe in the resurrection when we bear witness to the living Christ.
Promise: “When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:4)
Reflection
Christmas is undoubtedly the most celebrated event in the yearly calendar for both Christians and non-Christians alike. But in some areas of the world, Easter is considered the greatest of Christian feasts. It is said that Christmas is celebrated only in preparation for Easter, the feast of all feasts.
Why should Easter be such an important event, bigger even than Christmas? The resurrection of Jesus, which Easter celebrates, is the foundation of Christian faith. Belief in the resurrection of the dead is crucial to Christian faith:
“How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. . . . But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Cor 5:12-14, 20)
“The confidence of Christians is the resurrection of the dead; believing this we live.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 991)
Whenever we pray the Apostles’ Creed, we profess our belief in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection: “…on the third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” But reciting the credo is not enough; we need to put our words into action. “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead,” (James 2:17). The best way to live out our faith as a follower of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is summed up in our theme for the week: “We believe in the resurrection when we bear witness to the living Christ.”
To bear witness means to focus our journey here on earth to the living Christ, shedding off our worldliness, self-centeredness and materialism. It means not allowing ourselves to be captivated by the glitter of worldly goods. Instead, we are to spend our life, aspiring for what is heavenly as stated in our 2nd reading: “Think of what is above, not of what is on earth,” (Col 3:2). It means seeking God’s will and not our own.
In every word we say and in everything we do, we proclaim that Jesus is risen and is alive in us. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us,” (2 Corinthians 5:20). This entails a daily struggle that is often difficult to sustain. But when we believe in the Resurrection, the Spirit of the Lord dwells in us and empowers us with a new life. “…just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life,” (Rom 6:4).
Pope Francis puts substance to the power of the Resurrection in his Evangeliee Gaudium (EG), stating that, “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. 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. Such is the power of the resurrection, and all who evangelize are instruments of that power.” (EG 276)
As renewed followers of Jesus, this is the true meaning of Easter for us. It is a day for rejoicing because it celebrates a triumph – Christ’s victory over sin and death. Like Christ, we too will conquer sin and death, and gain eternal life. So let us celebrate Easter in all the BLD Districts across the globe, in our homes, and in our hearts. Let us claim His promise: “When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:4)
Happy Easter to all! This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia! Jesus is alive!
Prayer:
Lord, today we celebrate your victory. You have risen from the dead, and we have a new life in You. You have opened the gate of eternity for all of us. Give us the grace to die to our old selves with our selfish desires, our hopelessness and our misery. We want to rise again as new creations in Christ – repentant, full of hope and happiness. Our confidence lies in Your Son Jesus who conquered the power of sin and death. We cannot do it on our own but united with Him, we too can become new persons. We claim victory in the mighty name of Jesus. Alleluia!
Reflection Questions:
1. What is the single most difficult part of your old life that keeps you from seeking what is above? What is your plan to shed off this weakness and live a new life?
2. With prayer and discernment, what are the top 3 resolutions that you are set to pursue in celebration of your new life in Jesus Christ?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
April 20, 2014 (Sun) Acts 10:34,37-43/Ps 118:1-2,16-17,22-23/Col 3:1-4/Jn 20:1-9
April 21, 2014 (Mon) Acts 2:14,22-32/Ps 16:1-2,5,7-8,9-10,11/Mt 28:8-15
April 22, 2014 (Tues) Acts 2:36-41/Ps 33:5-5,18-19,20,22/Jn 20:11-18
April 23, 2014 (Wed) Acts 3:1-10/Ps 105:1-2,3-4,6-7,8-9/Lk 24:13-35
April 24, 2014 (Thur) Acts 3:11-26/Ps 8:2,5,6-7,8-9/Lk 24:35-48
April 25, 2014 (Fri) Acts 4:1-12/Ps 118:2-4,4,22-24,25-27/Jn 21:1-14
April 26, 2014 (Sat) Acts 4:13-21/Ps 118:1,14-15,16-18,19-21/Mk 16:9-15
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
Please download in PDF format.
