Jesus is risen, and we are His witnesses! After you renewed your baptismal promises on Easter, did you explode from the starting blocks, run into the whole world, and proclaim joy, freedom, and victory in the risen Christ? If so, you are like Mary Magdalene on resurrection day. Keep on running for Jesus (see 2 Tm 4:7).

If, however, on this third day of the Easter octave beginning the Easter season, you are not running with the gospel, but are dawdling at the starting line, then repent, renew your baptismal promises again, and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). "Save yourselves from this generation which has gone astray" (Acts 2:40).

If we don't reject Satan, we refuse to let the love of Christ impel us to proclaim the good news of the risen Christ (see 2 Cor 5:14). We don't reject Satan if we have love for the world (1 Jn 2:15) and if we don't crucify our flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5:24). We don't reject Satan if we don't believe in and love the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit with all our hearts, all our minds, all our souls, and all our strength (see Lk 10:27).

Therefore, let the risen Christ burn and purify your heart through His Word (see Lk 24:32). Then speak from the abundance of your heart (Lk 6:45), and renew your baptismal promises again. Then bolt from the blocks with the good news of the risen Christ.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 21, 2014

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