Daily Retreat 04/16/06

2006 Apr 16 SUN: EASTER SUNDAY. The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Acts 10: 34a. 37-43/ Ps 117(118): 1-2. 16-17. 22-23/ Col 3: 1-4 or 1 Cor 5: 6b-8/ Jn 20: 1-9 or Mk 16:1-8

From today’s readings: "He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.... This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!... If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.... On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. "

Alleluia!

Alleluia! Jesus is truly risen from the dead, just as He said! Our celebration today is the very heart of our faith. During His earthly life, Jesus was undeniably a great preacher, teacher, healer, and charismatic leader, but none of those qualities in themselves qualify Him as divine. But His victory over sin and death do prove His divinity, enshrining Him alone as our Redeemer!

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad! Sunday is the first day of the week - when the Lord rose on that Easter Sunday morning, He announced the beginning of His new creation, and how blessed are we to have a share in that! So, as St. Paul observes, "Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."