Easter Sunday 2017
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We gather together in prayer and in community in celebration of another Easter. In the 3rd reading today from Exodus we find God answering Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward and you lift up your staff and outstretch your hand over the sea, split the sea in two so the Israelites may pass through it on dry land” Simple no? I’m sure all of us might feel a bit like Moses from time to time when we face adversity and challenges in our daily lives. And we like Moses cry out to God for help and guidance when to him the choice is obvious. Trust in him and go forward with faith in his plan for us. Just as God protected and cared for the Israelites he too protects us with his divine hand. He places his powerful hands of love and protection over us every day. Unfortunately we don’t often pause long enough or often enough to thank him for his multiple blessings on us and our loved ones.
In the 6th reading for today from the Prophet Baruch we read of the value of prudence and how the Israelites had forsaken the fountain of wisdom. “Learn where prudence is, there is strength, and understanding; that you may know also where are the length of days, and life, where light of the eyes and peace. Prudence was given to Jacob and he was able to trace out the whole day to understand. For us prudence seems to be a forgotten word. Yet, if we practice prudence in our daily lives, we will benefit from her wisdom and be able to determine good from evil, right from wrong, and she will light the path to salvation. It is just one of the gifts God gives us which enables us to reach our heavenly reward.
In our Gospel from Matthew today we hear the great news proclaimed that Jesus our Lord has risen from the dead. Again Jesus chose one who many of our forefathers had considered the least of his disciples, Mary Magdalene, to reveal his resurrection! We may all consider ourselves the least of God’s children but Jesus proved to us time and time again in his ministry that those who feel least worthy he will love and hold close to his heart. For all those who feel unworthy of his love and forgiveness he gives us hope in his mercy and love. It was for us the sinners, the humble, the forsaken, that he came to redeem and bring to salvation. For all those who fear losing the love of God, his Son brings us the reassurance of his never-ending love for us.
For when we ask for forgiveness of our sins (known and unknown), with a sincere heart his sacred heart pours forth in mercy and forgiveness. Just as Jesus chose to reveal himself to Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” he will reveal himself to all those who love him with a pure heart. You will see him in the eyes of those you love, and in the thankful eyes of the poor and forgotten of his creations, in the eyes of those who are suffering who ask for your help and prayers.
Today as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, let us also celebrate our love for him and for our loved ones and yes even our enemies. Let us pray for his prudence and wisdom and for a merciful heart to forgive others as generously as Jesus forgive us our trespasses. May the love and blessing of our divine Lord be upon you today and every day that your love for him will grow as you walk the path he has chosen for you.
+John
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We gather together in prayer and in community in celebration of another Easter. In the 3rd reading today from Exodus we find God answering Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward and you lift up your staff and outstretch your hand over the sea, split the sea in two so the Israelites may pass through it on dry land” Simple no? I’m sure all of us might feel a bit like Moses from time to time when we face adversity and challenges in our daily lives. And we like Moses cry out to God for help and guidance when to him the choice is obvious. Trust in him and go forward with faith in his plan for us. Just as God protected and cared for the Israelites he too protects us with his divine hand. He places his powerful hands of love and protection over us every day. Unfortunately we don’t often pause long enough or often enough to thank him for his multiple blessings on us and our loved ones.
In the 6th reading for today from the Prophet Baruch we read of the value of prudence and how the Israelites had forsaken the fountain of wisdom. “Learn where prudence is, there is strength, and understanding; that you may know also where are the length of days, and life, where light of the eyes and peace. Prudence was given to Jacob and he was able to trace out the whole day to understand. For us prudence seems to be a forgotten word. Yet, if we practice prudence in our daily lives, we will benefit from her wisdom and be able to determine good from evil, right from wrong, and she will light the path to salvation. It is just one of the gifts God gives us which enables us to reach our heavenly reward.
In our Gospel from Matthew today we hear the great news proclaimed that Jesus our Lord has risen from the dead. Again Jesus chose one who many of our forefathers had considered the least of his disciples, Mary Magdalene, to reveal his resurrection! We may all consider ourselves the least of God’s children but Jesus proved to us time and time again in his ministry that those who feel least worthy he will love and hold close to his heart. For all those who feel unworthy of his love and forgiveness he gives us hope in his mercy and love. It was for us the sinners, the humble, the forsaken, that he came to redeem and bring to salvation. For all those who fear losing the love of God, his Son brings us the reassurance of his never-ending love for us.
For when we ask for forgiveness of our sins (known and unknown), with a sincere heart his sacred heart pours forth in mercy and forgiveness. Just as Jesus chose to reveal himself to Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” he will reveal himself to all those who love him with a pure heart. You will see him in the eyes of those you love, and in the thankful eyes of the poor and forgotten of his creations, in the eyes of those who are suffering who ask for your help and prayers.
Today as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, let us also celebrate our love for him and for our loved ones and yes even our enemies. Let us pray for his prudence and wisdom and for a merciful heart to forgive others as generously as Jesus forgive us our trespasses. May the love and blessing of our divine Lord be upon you today and every day that your love for him will grow as you walk the path he has chosen for you.
+John