Our Risen Lord made His first resurrection appearance to His most Blessed Mother. This Easter, we have asked "What is the foundation of the Christian Religion?" It is Christ, His Mission, and His Church. Understanding this answer helps us love our Catholic Faith and live it well. Five simple points from the resurrection narratives in the gospel help us summarize this answer.
The seed falling on different types of soil represents great enemies of our salvation. Consider the following questions, that your soul may be good soul yielding a hundred fold. [1] Why stand you here all the day idle? Be about the work of doing everything to secure the salvation of your soul. [2] Lord, what will Thou have me to do? Hear Him, and answer with promptness, fidelity, and fervor. [3] What gift, of my time and treasure, shall I offer Thee? The gifts we choose are our response to the graces received from God.
As a fruit of the Resurrection, Jesus is now present in a new way, different from before His Passion. He is alive and present by the power of the Holy Ghost in His Church! In His Church, He teaches the truths which save us. In and by His Church, He bestows life through His sacraments. The Scriptures clearly profess this. So too the witnesses of the Resurrection, who teach with the authority that Christ Himself has given. Contemplate Christ. Keep your eyes constantly fixed on Him. Set your heart on Him alone.
An ancient Easter Prayer and Hymn - heard at the start of the sermon The Crucified One is Risen. O Queen of Heaven. Rejoice, alleluia.For He whom thou wast worthy to bear, alleluia, has risen.As He said, alleluia. Pray for us to God. Alleluia.Rejoice and be glad, o Virgin Mary. Alleluia.For the Lord is truly risen. Alleluia. Let us pray, O God, who by the resurrection of Thy Son,our Lord Jesus Christ, hast been pleased to give joy tothe whole world, grant, we beseech thee, that throughthe intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, His mother,we may attain the joys of eternal [...]
Contemplate Christ. Keep your eyes fixed on Him. Set your heart on Him alone. Meditate upon the gospels and epistles from Easter week. St. Peter and St. Paul teach – by the power of the Holy Ghost – not their own ideas but they 'teach Christ.' The disciples journeying to Emmaus pattern a progressively deeper encounter with the Risen Lord. [1] They desire Christ, sharing their limited knowledge and love of Him. [2] Jesus then teaches them the Scriptures, showing we all need proper interpretation from the rightful authority. [3] Christ remains with them and feeds them. Every Christian is called [...]
Contemplate Christ's words and actions following the Resurrection. He abides in our midst, teaches the truth, calls us to faith, feeds us, and commands us. Clearly, the foundation of the Catholic Faith is Jesus Christ. He is alive and active in the Church He founded. He commands that we go to all nations (no exceptions) teaching everyone the truth and baptizing all.
Christ came, suffered and died, rose and ascended that we might have the life of grace. Nothing is more precious.
Every element of the Easter liturgy proclaims the connectedness of Christ's death and resurrection. By this the Church impresses upon our minds and hearts two important spiritual truths: [1] Jesus can never be separated from His Cross. [2] The Cross is the road to life everlasting.
Look to the Cross. Adore the Cross. Kiss the Cross. From you heart, make a resolution, to reject a particular grievous or habitual sin (such as the sin of selfishness).
These are the holiest days of the year. Our Lord gives us a Great Example of true charity, humility, service, and giving of oneself without expecting anything in return. He imparts to us seven great gifts. "As I have done, so you do also."
