The Third Sunday of Easter

"God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses." (Acts 2:32)

The resurrection of Jesus was at the heart of Peter’s message on Pentecost, and it became his mission statement for the rest of his life. Two thousand years later, God still wants the resurrection to be at the heart of our faith. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: "The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ and preached as an essential part of the Paschal mystery along with the cross: Christ is risen from the dead!" (638).

Take time today to think about the ways that the reality of Jesus’ resurrection has changed your life. How has it given you hope, strength, comfort and peace? Make it your statement of faith that you can announce to yourself and to the Lord every morning when you wake up. With the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit make it the basis for all your decisions.

Just as the apostles were first-century witnesses to the resurrection, God calls us to be twenty-first-century witnesses to the very same event. We should try to witness through our good deeds, and speak clearly, excitedly, and joyfully about this basis for our hope and our faith!