No person of faith can doubt that the message of Easter is one of newness of life. Because of this faith we have come to believe that death is but a passage and not a destination. We believe that Jesus has made that passage less difficult for us by proclaiming through his resurrection that new life awaits us. However, it is helpful to reflect on the fact that our final passage is preceded by many passages: learning to walk, the first days of school, going off to college, getting married, the death of a loved one, retiring, etc. Each time we move through them a little Easter can be experienced and new life is gained.

Scripture is little interested in giving us details concerning the how of the resurrection. The gospel is focused rather on the glorious accomplishment of Christ and the effect it had on the men and women who followed him. They were amazed, even confused and unsure, but ultimately they were transformed by the meaning of the stone rolled back. That sudden openness, that stark emptiness of the tomb must have shook the ground of their being. But it also gave them cause to hope. It became the starting point of Good News to be shared.

Only gradually did they come to understand the meaning of the rolling away the stones in their own lives. All that had previously transpired in their lives needed room to germinate into new meaning. They needed time to grow into fuller understanding that some things had to change, that some things had to be let go if they were now to bear witness to the truth that Christ lives.

How about us? Have we ceased to be amazed by the resurrection? That Christ lives? That Easter is more than a fleeting moment? This is the faith moment. This is the message we are called to live out by our Baptismal promises. What we say and how we act must proclaim: “we have seen the Lord and he lives!” Christ’s mission is now ours: to be compassionate, to be forgiving, to be just, to serve our neighbor, to make a difference in our world.

Monday-April 17th
Readings: Acts 2:14,22-33 - Mt 28:8-15

Tuesday-April 18th
Readings: Acts 2:36-41 - Jn 20:11-18

Wednesday-April 19th
Readings: Acts 3:1-10 - Lk 24:13-35

Thursday-April 20th
Readings: Acts 3:11-26 - Lk 24:35-48

Friday-April 21st
Readings: Acts 4:1-12 - Jn 21:1-14

Saturday-April 22nd
Readings: Acts 4:13-21 - Mk 16:9-15

We continue to ask each week that parishioners pray for the chronically ill of our parish. If you have a friend or loved one in need of our parish prayers please call the Rectory at 589-2800.

Been Away A While?
There are many reasons why people drift away from the Church. They have to work every Sunday or have little ones who can’t sit still or an ailing parent who needs their constant presence. Some folks move and never get around to finding a new parish or are angry with God for a particularly painful death of a loved one. Others just get out of the habit, feel guiltier by the week, and then don’t know how to come back. If you’ve been away for a while, whatever your reasons, we’d like to welcome you back. Please contact any of the parish staff by phone or e-mail and we’ll be happy to help you reconnect with the Church.