say "i do" to i am
"He has been raised up." —Luke 24:6
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia forever! The tomb is empty! Jesus is alive! He will raise from the dead those living and dying in Him!
Most of us have been baptized into Jesus (Rm 6:3). Therefore, we were baptized into His death, and we share in His resurrection (Rm 6:5). By being baptized and living our Baptisms, we decide to be "raised up in company with Christ" (Col 3:1). This means that we will be raised from the dead and live with the Lord forever in heaven. It also means that before our deaths we will come out of the tomb of sin and live free, pure, and holy. Death has no more power over us because we have died to sin (Rm 6:9-10). By Baptism, we apply Jesus' resurrection to our lives now and forever.
Therefore, on this first day of the fifty-day Easter season, the Church in all her wisdom leads everyone at every Mass in the world to renew his or her baptismal promises. If we do this in "sincerity and truth" (1 Cor 5:8), we are living a radically new life and will rise from the dead. By God's grace, make the greatest decision possible for a human being. Say "I do" to I AM. Surrender your life to your risen Lord.
Prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I believe in You and therefore reject Satan totally.
Promise: "He saw and believed." —Jn 20:8
Praise: Alleluia! Praise Jesus, "the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn 11:25). "This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it" (Ps 118:24). Praise our risen Lord!
Reference: (Celebrate this Easter season at our Discipleship Retreats. Loving Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, April 20-22 is the first of the ten-day series. Come for one day, any retreats, or all ten days. Call 937-587-5464 or 513-471-4622 or e-mail to retreats@presentationministries.com.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000