Resurrection

Death to Sin New Life in Christ

DVRodriguez2026-04-28T19:57:54-04:00

During the Easter Octave, the Church provides readings which prefigure baptism. Why? Because, as the Church Fathers teach, baptism is a practical consequence of the Resurrection. Every single day we must make efforts to be faithful to our grace of baptism, to guard our faith and to live by it, so that it may continue to grow. As long as our earthly pilgrimage lasts, we must pursue this double work of dying to sin and living for God. This is our call in Baptism. This is why Christ died and rose.

Death to Sin New Life in ChristDVRodriguez2026-04-28T19:57:54-04:00

Why Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?

DVRodriguez2026-04-14T09:25:39-04:00

The Resurrection is the most important of all Jesus’ miracles. If we believe the testimony of men, of our own eyes and ears, then we should place even more trust in the words of God and of His Church. Christ’s resurrection definitively shows to all the world that He is God. It makes us look forward to our own resurrection and to prepare well for it. It motivates us to rise from the death of sin to a new and holy life. With renewed vigor, let us live for Him, obey Him, serve Him, and love Him who is our Life.

Why Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?DVRodriguez2026-04-14T09:25:39-04:00

Six Saints Who Loved the Cross

DVRodriguez2025-05-29T12:44:28-04:00

Consider three interrelated themes: resurrection, faith, and the Cross, which holds these themes together. We often lack faith, turning from the Cross and preferring the easier path. We fail to believe the Cross is the source of all blessings and what brings us sanctification. Eternal life comes through faith and the cross. The saints, who enjoy eternal beatitude, are models in faith and in carrying their cross. In fact, every saint carried a heavy cross. The cross purifies and strengthens your charity. And the more you love the cross, the more God works through you.

Six Saints Who Loved the CrossDVRodriguez2025-05-29T12:44:28-04:00

Five Simple Points

DVRodriguez2024-06-18T09:15:56-04:00

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.

Five Simple PointsDVRodriguez2024-06-18T09:15:56-04:00

Christ is the Foundation

DVRodriguez2024-05-08T20:21:58-04:00

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.

Christ is the FoundationDVRodriguez2024-05-08T20:21:58-04:00

Regina Caeli

DVR Fatima2024-05-02T10:37:34-04:00

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 [...]

Regina CaeliDVR Fatima2024-05-02T10:37:34-04:00

The Road to Emmaus

DVRodriguez2024-05-02T06:41:00-04:00

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 [...]

The Road to EmmausDVRodriguez2024-05-02T06:41:00-04:00

Two Lessons from the Easter Encounters

DVRodriguez2024-05-02T06:22:28-04:00

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.

Two Lessons from the Easter EncountersDVRodriguez2024-05-02T06:22:28-04:00

The Harrowing of Hell

DVRodriguez2023-06-30T19:31:49-04:00

By way of comparison, Our Lord used his own 'Trojan Horse' strategy to strip hades (death) and satan of their spoils. He took a human nature and flesh from the Virgin's womb so that by dying He could pass through the gates of the netherworld. The 'Gospel' of Nicodemus, an ancient Christian text, piously narrates this tradition. We profess our faith in this truth every Sunday when we pray the Creed, "... He descended into hell."

The Harrowing of HellDVRodriguez2023-06-30T19:31:49-04:00

We Must Recognize the Risen Lord

DVRodriguez2023-05-31T06:22:13-04:00

Some disciples adored the Risen Christ, yet others doubted. All had difficulty recognizing Him. Why? His appearance is clearly different. He chooses to remain with us in His mysteries. Thus, our focus should be on how He is present at Mass – by faith and by the power of the Holy Ghost. Sadly, many aspects of the Mew Mass deform our belief in the Mass and our understanding of what it means to participate in the Mass. Pay special attention to Our Lady's role in the Mass and participate in the Mass after her example.

We Must Recognize the Risen LordDVRodriguez2023-05-31T06:22:13-04:00