Happy Easter!

04-04-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi, V.C.

The Lord is Risen, Hallelujah! Easter Sunday, commonly known as the Lord’s Day, is the greatest day in the history of the Church and of the world. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the day of the Resurrection is the beginning of a new creation. “Jesus rose from the dead ‘on the first day of the week’ (Jn 20:1). Because it is the ‘first day,’ the day of Christ’s Resurrection recalls the first creation. Because it is the ‘eighth day’ following the Sabbath (Mk 16:1), it symbolizes the new creation ushered in by Christ’s Resurrection. For Christians, it has become the first of all days, the first of all feasts, the Lord’s Day” (he kuriake hemera, dies dominica) (CCC 2174). This explains why we observe Sunday as our “Sabbath day of rest” instead of Saturday.

Today’s celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ gives hope to mankind and opens the door to eternal life of blessed happiness in the Kingdom of God. It gives us the assurance that death is not the end of our story here on Earth, but rather the beginning of a perfect life with God. On Easter, we do not only come to Church simply to commemorate the victory of Christ over death, but also to celebrate the fact that we, too, now have the privilege to share in that victory. We too, by living and dying in Him, will rise with Him on the last day.

I thank everyone for your commitment to the Lenten disciplines we imposed on ourselves throughout the Season of Lent to purify ourselves and strengthen our resolve to follow God faithfully. The next fifty days between now and Pentecost is known as Eastertide. The first Scripture readings at Mass during this time will focus on the stories of the Risen Christ and how the power of the Resurrection empowers the disciples to go out into the world and proclaim the Gospel without fear. I encourage everyone to read the whole book of the Acts of the Apostles to refresh our minds of the stories of the Risen Christ and the experiences of the early Church.

Thank you and remain blessed,

Fr. James