Lenten Reflection for 4/9
Easter Sunday
Daily Prayer
Almighty God and Father, who through Your Only Begotten Son, have conquered death and opened up for us the path to eternity, grant that we may rise up in the light of life. Bring us to the glory of the Resurrection.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Scripture Readings
Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9
(Click for today’s Readings.)
Scripture Quote
John 20:9
For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he [Jesus] had to rise from the dead.
Reflection
In the midst of violence and wars that threaten so many people with death, today we Christians joyfully proclaim: Christ is risen! Hope is still possible! Certainly Jesus never lost hope. “On the third day I will rise again,” he had told his disciples when announcing his passion (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19).
As disciples of Jesus, we surround our lives with hope because we share the same life as the Risen One. In Christ, all of us who believe in Him have risen, Saint Paul tells us. Death, and everything that leads to death, no longer has power over us because we are armed with the force of life that is born from the resurrection of Our Lord.
We must not think, however, that everything is automatically solved with the Resurrection of Christ. We still have to face the crosses of each day. Our crosses and the crosses of others. And we have to face the ultimate test of death. In the midst of these trials is where our hope shines. For us, and for others too. Because Christ is risen, hope is still possible in the world.
Reflection Questions
- How will I celebrate that Jesus Christ is risen today? This is our triumphant holy day. Alleluia!
- How can I bring the hope and joy of the Resurrection to others?
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.