Jesus is Risen!

Alleluia, JESUS is risen! So too could we be, so too are we — risen!

By JESUS’ Resurrection, HE has opened for us the way to new life; justified and reinstated us to GOD’s grace (CCC 654). HIS sacrifice is complete, full circle. The covenant with HIS body and blood is sealed (CCC 1339).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1169) states that Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the ‘Feast of feasts, the Solemnity of solemnities’.

Coupled with our repentance, we celebrate because, by and with GOD’s grace, we are a forgiven people, all “second chancers” to a new life. No longer our own, we have been ransomed by love with every drop of blood that JESUS shed for us.

Now, we have power in the name and blood of JESUS — to do as JESUS did.

Breathed on by The HOLY SPIRIT, we are ready for JESUS’ use — to live HIS Word, to proclaim the Gospel, to perform miracles, to release those in bondage, to plead for mercy for souls, and penultimately, to be another CHRIST.

Lest we forget, Easter also includes the Cross. As often as the sacrifice of The Cross by which “CHRIST our Pasch has been sacrificed” is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out (CCC 1364).

We are all sinners, and we sin repeatedly. Our conversion is ongoing. GOD’s grace calls us to crucify our disordered affections, our erroneous or lost sense of sin, our ambivalent loyalties, our self-serving justifications, our myopic view of GOD’s mercy, and our indifferent care for the only earth HE has lent for our use.

Learning to take all these to heart like Mother Mary, let us not miss GOD’s invitation to holiness. With our acceptance, we will be GOD’s Easter people, truly HIS people of everlasting hope.

To GOD be all glory! (Bella Sarenas)