A week and a half ago, Christians celebrated the great feast
of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. After suffering and dying on the
cross and being buried in the tomb, Jesus rose from the dead, just as he said
he would.
As you can see, the Church is still decorated with many
signs of Easter, the priest wears the color white, to signify that we are still
in the Easter season, we still have easter flowers and decorations. Much of the
world has moved on from Easter, but Christians continue to celebrate Easter for
50 days—from Easter Sunday to Pentecost.
One of the features of the Easter season is that we read
extensively from the book of the Bible called “The Acts of the Apostles”. The
Acts of the Apostles is found in your bibles right after the four Gospels of
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Where the Gospels focus on the birth, ministry,
death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Acts of the Apostles talks about what
happened next—those first weeks and months and years of the Church.
We read from the Acts of the Apostles during the Easter Season
because in the Acts of the Apostles we see the impact Jesus’ resurrection had
on the apostles—how Jesus’ resurrection changed them, animated them, guided their
words and actions and behaviors—how they shared news of the resurrection and the
importance of believing in Jesus and following Jesus and being baptized.
We also hear how the Apostles were hated by the world, just
as Jesus was hated. But the Apostles were willing to suffer for the mission of
the Church because their task was given to them by Jesus—to go and make
disciples of all nations teaching them to observe all that he has commanded and
baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles today, we hear
how the Sadducees were filled with anger and jealousy over the teachings of the
Apostles, just like they were filled with anger and jealousy over the teachings
of Jesus. And like they did to Jesus, they threw the Apostles in jail. But
then, there is something that reminds us of Easter. Just as the prison bars of
death could not contain Jesus, the prison bars could not contain the Apostles.
The temple guard found them, not in prison, but back in the temple area
preaching and teaching in Jesus’ name.
Over the last 2000 years later, many of the world
governments have tried to eradicate the Church and stop the preaching of the
Gospel. Christians have been thrown in prison, tortured, and killed. But the
mission continues and succeeds because the Catholic Church is not just some
man-made institution—it is the body of Christ, risen from the dead, victorious
over death, which continues to preach and teach in his name the message of
salvation—that those who believe in Jesus and follow him shall have eternal
life.
And just as the power of Jesus resurrection guided and
shaped the early Church, it continues to guide and shape our lives, if we let
it, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Trusting in the risen Jesus, who conquered death and continues to guide His Church, let us bring our prayers before our heavenly Father.
For the Church throughout the world: that, like the Apostles, she may boldly and
faithfully preach Jesus Christ risen from the dead, let us pray to the Lord.
For the Holy Father, Pope Leo, our bishops, priests,
deacons, and all who teach the faith: that they may be strengthened by the joy
of Easter and remain courageous in proclaiming the Gospel, let us pray to the
Lord.
For Christians throughout the world, especially those who
are mocked, threatened, or persecuted for their faith: that the Lord may protect them and fill them
with the same courage he gave to the Apostles, let us pray to the Lord.
For Corpus Christi Academy: that our students, teachers, and families may
let the power of Jesus’ resurrection shape the way we think, speak, and live
each day, let us pray to the Lord.
For those who are sick, suffering, or discouraged: that the victory of the risen Lord may give
them strength, peace, and hope, let us pray to the Lord.
For our beloved dead:
that they may share forever in the glory of Christ’s resurrection, let
us pray to the Lord.
Heavenly Father, you raised your Son from the dead and
filled the Apostles with courage and joy. Hear these prayers we place before
you and help us to live always in the light of Easter. Through Christ our Lord.
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