Colossians 3:1-4 or
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
John 20:1-9
new and now
“They killed Him, finally, hanging Him on a tree, only to have God raise Him up on the third day.” —Acts 10:40
Alleluia! Today is one of the greatest days in our lives. This is the first day of the fifty-day Sunday, the Easter season. Alleluia! When we believe in our hearts that Jesus is risen from the dead (see Rm 10:9), everything is transformed and made new. Death no longer overshadows Life. The fear of death no longer enslaves us (Heb 2:15). Death has lost its sting (1 Cor 15:55). Death is not our enemy but our friend; it is not so much the end, but the beginning.
We have “full confidence that now as always Christ will be exalted through” us, whether we “live or die” (Phil 1:20). For, to us, “ ‘life’ means Christ; hence dying is so much gain” (Phil 1:21). “Now all is new!” (2 Cor 5:17; cf Rv 21:5) We need not wait until our death to share in Christ’s Resurrection. We can share in Jesus’ Resurrection now. Through Baptism and a life of faith, we have already “been raised up in company with Christ” (Col 3:1). We set our hearts “on what pertains to higher realms where Christ is seated at God’s right hand” (Col 3:1). We are “intent on things above rather than on things of earth” (Col 3:2). Now the main purpose of life is to be a witness that Jesus is risen from the dead (see Acts 10:41-42).
Alleluia! Easter is new and now.
Prayer: Risen Jesus, raise me from the tomb of doubt into the light of faith.
Promise: “Let us celebrate the feast not with the old yeast, that of corruption and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” —1 Cor 5:8
Praise: “Remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, was raised from the dead” (2 Tm 2:8). Alleluia! Happy Resurrection Sunday! Risen Jesus, may I never forget to praise You.
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from April 1,2021 through May 31, 2021 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 5,2020"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.