April 03, 2016
2nd Sunday of Easter
“He is Risen. Alleluia. Alleluia!†It is a remarkable proclamation of our faith. This is the teaching and preaching of Peter and John at Solomon’s Portico in our first reading from ACTS. They perform wonders and signs and many believers are added to the Lord. People are drawn to the apostles because the healing ministry of Jesus is manifest in them. John, the seer/visionary, is exiled on the Island of Patmos (Book of Revelation). He is caught up in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day and hears a voice to write down what he sees. The Book of Revelation is not primarily predictions of the future but words of encouragement to believers who are going through a time of crisis and persecution. John assures them that the Risen Lord is with them in their struggle and suffering. In the Gospel according to St. John, the resurrected Christ comes to the disciples huddled in fear behind locked doors and imparts the gift of God’s peace. They rejoice. Jesus “breathes†on the disciples and commissions them to go into the world and share the gift of peace they have just received. Disciples are missioners of forgiveness. Today we are remembering these events not as just happening in the past but mysteries that are present and continuing in our community of faith i.e. healing, encouragement and forgiveness. Examples are apparent this weekend: 13+ couples coming together for Marriage in Christ; adorers praying through the night before the Blessed Sacrament; and children making their First Reconciliation Saturday morning. On this Divine Mercy Sunday we rejoice in the wonderful awareness of God with us in Jesus Christ. “He is Risen. Alleluia. Alleluia!â€
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3rd Sunday of Easter
