Be Grateful and Share It!

“ Don't give in to discouragement....... If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about people's opinions. Be obedient to truth. For with humble obedience, you will never be disturbed.”

- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

First Reading: Acts 10:34, 37-43

And Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Psalm: Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Gospel: John 20:1-9

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."

Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Reflection
By Fely Santiago

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad

Today is a joyful day. Jump for joy! Alleluia! It is a time to rejoice and be glad. It is Easter and grand time for celebration! Jesus is with us.  He is not dead, but alive.  And He has given us eternal life. And, that makes all the difference in the world in how much hope and courage we have, before any struggle, any possible fear of death. We thank God for the foundation of our faith is Jesus’ resurrection. Without His resurrection our faith has no meaning. Jesus triumphed over death. He lives in our hearts until today!

But we cannot keep this joy to ourselves. We cannot keep this good news to us alone. We must share it to everyone especially to those who do not know Jesus yet. To those people who have never experienced the unconditional love and mercy of God. Those who have not experienced the compassion of a loving Father and the joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus because all their lives they have been rejected, abandoned, unloved, unsuccessful in whatever they do, losing, “unchurched”, lonely, very sick. Let us not be quick to judge people no matter how sinful they may seem. Let us remember that every person is a temple of God. There is something good in every person waiting to be uncovered. So let us share Jesus to them that they may also experience the joy that we experience today.

This Easter Sunday we also renew our baptismal promises. Because of the gift of Baptism, there is new life germinating within us, pointing us toward the future when we too “will appear with Him in glory.” There is a new life in Christ in His resurrection. And I hope that most of us went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Holy Week to repent for our sins for it was our sins that brought Jesus to the cross. Going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a sign of humility, humbling ourselves before God, asking for forgiveness and being renewed to a life with Christ. That His light may shine upon us and we will be Jesus to others everyday!

Each morning  on this Easter week, we can pause for a moment and simply thank God for our being alive everyday. Even more, we can thank God for the life that Jesus won for us. Throughout the day, and at different brief moments, we can remember that this is Easter Week and ask to live more freely, more gratefully, willing to serve the people of God and share His LOVE.

Celebrate our new life with Jesus and shine His light to others!

Happy Easter everyone!

Prayer

Dear God, raise me up! Renew my life! 
I see the light again! 
I was in darkness and had lost hope 
but Jesus Christ, Your Son, 
has won over death - for me. 
I celebrate today Your love, the life You give me. 
I feel Your presence as You breathe on my mind 
and open my heart. 
So many times in my life my eyes are closed 
but today I see Your Risen Son and my Lord 
in the breaking of the bread. 
Thank You for this morning of hope, 
thank You for such incredible love. I am alive again in Jesus’ Name. Amen.