EASTER SUNDAY – THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
Mar 29, 2024
“Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.” (Matthew 28: 5-6)
Alleluia! He is risen! This is the most joyous feast of the year. Christ’s death and resurrection is the foundation of the Christian Faith.
The church is now filled with the spirit of Jesus and with His Light. It is no longer silent as we join our songs of praise with the choirs in heaven. We are reminded of Christ’s promise “I will give you a joy which no one will take from you.” (John 16:22). Easter is the beginning of our new life with Christ. Although our Lenten Journey is complete don’t forget to create times of prayer in your daily lives where you can spend time with our Risen Lord.
Holy Saturday, Morning Reflections
Most families gather together after a funeral. It is a time to console one another, share memories of the deceased one, and offer one another support during the healing days ahead.
O Jesus, Son of God, You were born in a stable and died on the cross for our salvation.
Say to your heavenly Father at the hour of my death: “Father, forgive them.”
Say to your loving mother: “Behold your daughter, behold your son.”
Say to my soul: “This day you shall be with me in Paradise.”
“My God, my God, do not abandon me” in that hour.
“I thirst,” my God, yes, my soul thirsts for you, the fountain of living waters.
My life passes like a shadow. Yet a little while and “it is finished.”
So, my Savior, from this moment and for all eternity, “Into your hands, I commend my spirit.”
Lord Jesus, receive my soul. Amen.
Good Friday
Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53: 12; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19, 42
Jesus stretches out His Hands between heaven and earth. The curtain in the Temple that separated the people from God is ripped in two. A new bridge has been established between God and us. The bridge is Jesus Who, now crucified, will never die again. He lives forever as our passageway to the living God! From His cross the Lord also gives us Mary to be the Mother of all believers. Through this last deed of Jesus we discover that the nature of the Church is to be a spiritual family. Mary helps to solidify in the spiritual family of the Church the values of humility, joy, interior peace, and simple piety.
The readings present us with the end of a stage of history. No longer must humanity be dragged by its fears, sit in unforgiven sins, and live at the mercy of the evil spirit. Now begins the era of the New Covenant of God with humanity marked by the Spirit of God. When Jesus gives up His Spirit, the Spirit doesn’t die but instead fills the Church. As Isaiah prophesies: “See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.” (Isaiah 52:13)
In this year of the new creation make forgiveness and peace hallmarks of your life.
Let us pray: Lord, by the suffering of Christ your Son you have saved is all from the death we inherited from sinful Adam. By the law of nature we have borne the likeness of his manhood. May the sanctifying power of grace help us to put on the likeness of our Lord in heaven who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Author: [email protected]
Headmaster
