fresh bread
"Get rid of the old yeast to make of yourselves fresh dough, unleavened loaves, as it were; Christ our Passover has been sacrificed." —1 Corinthians 5:7
Alleluia! Jesus has risen! He's alive! Alleluia!
For many Christians, the good news of Jesus' resurrection from the dead isn't "news" anymore. It's old. They've heard it (or not heard it) for years. Instead of being evangelized to Christianity, they have been immunized to it. They mistakenly think that the lukewarm version of Easter they've received is all there is to the good news.
We must get rid of the old yeast of sin. We must repent of compromising with the values of the world and of thereby letting the risen Christ be upstaged by NCAA basketball, major league baseball, spring break, chocolate Easter bunnies, or even marshmallow chicks. We must proclaim Jesus' resurrection with power by making major financial moves and lifestyle changes — all because of the risen Christ (see Acts 4:33-35).
Jesus died and was buried because of our sins. Unless we break out of the tomb of sin, we will not be witnesses for the risen Christ but anti-witnesses. We will conceal the risen Lord rather than reveal Him. Therefore, we must ask for the forgiveness of our sins through His name (Acts 10:43). On the first Easter Sunday evening, Jesus offered us forgiveness (Jn 20:23). We must repent if we are to be credible witnesses for the risen Jesus.
Prayer: Father, on this first day of Easter, I renew my baptismal promises; I give my life to you.
Promise: "Since you have been raised up in company with Christ, set your heart on what pertains to higher realms where Christ is seated at God's right hand." —Col 3:1
Praise: Praise Jesus! He is risen! The tomb is empty! Alleluia!
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 9, 2009
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