Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord – March 31, 2024
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March 27, 2024Matthew 28: 5-6 Respondens autem Angelus, dixit mulieribus: Nolite timere vos: scio enim quod Jesum, qui crucifixus est, quaeritis: non est hic: surrexit enim, sicut dixit. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has risen, as He said.” Also, see Mark 6:16.
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
“For He has risen, as He said” we hear in the Gospel of the Easter Vigil. The Lord Jesus has fulfilled His promise. We have nothing to fear because of His definitive victory over the death of sin and the death of the body. Through His passion and death on the cross and His glorious Resurrection the Gates of Heaven are now open to all those of good will, who by faith and by grace follow in His footsteps. In union with Christians throughout the world we are filled with joy. We shout out for all to hear: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
In the Gospel of John (20:1-9) we encounter the apostles Peter and John. They represent our twofold response to the Resurrection of the Lord. Peter represents the truth of faith taught with authority. John represents faith practiced in love. Faithful Catholics adhere to the fullness of the Truth that Jesus has revealed and is taught with authority by His Church, and we do so with all our hearts in love. The deposit of the faith, the objective Truth about Jesus, His commandments, and the laws and discipline of the Church are essential to a complete Resurrection faith; but they must be accepted and lived with a loving heart. Truth with charity is the way to have a complete Catholic life. Clearly this is why Peter, the first pope, the Vicar of Christ, enters the tomb first. However, John enters the tomb second not to show that love is secondary, but to show that love and truth must be present in an authentic disciple of Christ. We must have a faith that is Petrine and Johannine all at the same time.
“This is the Day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118: 24)” expresses our joy in the Risen Lord, the new man, who replaces the fallen Adam. In Him we become new men and women. If we live in the state of grace, we are raised up in Christ. We are alive in Him. We partake in supernatural life, the new order of grace – the Christian Order. Here is our greatest treasure. Nothing is more important. St. Paul in Colossians 3:1-4 exhorts us: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.”
Thank you for all you do to make our parish great! Well done!
To you and all your loved ones I wish a Blessed and Joyful Easter.
Yours in the Risen Lord,
Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor
