April 20, 2014
Liturgical readings
Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Psalm 118
Colossians 3:1-4
John 20:1-9
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good."
The versicle mentioned above is from the Responsorial Psalm of Easter vigil. It is all of the faithful's joyful response to God's gift of new life in Christ's resurrection. What Jesus always foretold before His apostles about His rising from the dead, is now made real in the power of the Spirit. What the Apostles did not understand before, is now revealed in the glory of His risen Body. As the days unfolded before the Apostles through the empty tomb, and then many resurrection appearances thereafter, the followers of Jesus continually rejoice and give thanks to the Lord upon seeing Him risen from the dead.
In one of his writings, St. Augustine of Hippo says that we have already received this new life in Christ through the sacrament of baptism. This new life we receive, will be brought to completion only in the resurrection of the dead. So, as we journey on to our eternal destiny in Christ, we renew our fidelity to Christian life candle-lit in the Easter Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. This solemn symbol reminds us of the great gift of new life we receive in Christ. By this renewal of baptismal vows with lit candles, we are encouraged by the Church to seek more the things above: to set our hearts beyond just the concerns of the flesh, the world, and to reject all that is not of God in our lives.
Scripture quotes for reflection:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, 'His mercy endures forever'. (Psalm 118)
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