Jesus loves us and wants our love in return for now and for eternity...
Reflections on the readings for Easter Sunday (April 12, 2020): Acts 10:34,37-43; PS 118:1-2,16-17,22-23; COL 3:1-4; JN 20:1-9
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
When we contemplate the Crucifixion of Christ, we know that it is followed in three days by the overwhelming contrast of light and dark.
The brightness of our Risen Lord pierces through the pitch-black tomb. It allows us to see the truth of His divine majesty that had been hidden to human eyes as He walked throughout Judea and Galilee sharing the truth of God’s Kingdom. In the first reading today, we meet Peter preaching about Jesus. He tells his listeners who Christ is and what He means to them and to all people. Peter is not just addressing Jews, but Gentiles as well. He who was a witness to our Lord’s ministry and selected by Him to guide His Church, now knows that the Good News is meant for all people. Peter wants the word of Jesus’ life and love and His gift of salvation to reach every one everywhere. “They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day and granted that He be visible, not to all people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people.… To Him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins through His name” (Acts 10:39-43).
On this Easter Sunday, let us remember not only the Passion and Resurrection of our Redeemer, the Son of God. Let us also think about the necessity for faith and forgiveness. If we believe in Christ and His message of infinite mercy, if we recognize our sins and ask Him to forgive us, then we will grasp the joy of this day. Our Heavenly Father sent His Son to give us everything we need on earth and in heaven. We only have to want it – and to want Him more than ourselves. Happy Easter!
Suggested missionary action: We can thank God for His generosity to us and to all people. And we can pray that He touch the hearts of all who now are suffering, who are ill, who are in need, particularly due to the Coronavirus.
