My Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
How marvelous is the love of the Good Shepherd, our resurrected God who cares for all the people. As we journey with the first Christians, we hear story after story proclaimed about the growing Church in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean and the fervent faith of the people as they listen to and accept the Word of God.
We are close to them in our own journey because the Church is anew each Easter as we welcome those who have come to believe after a pilgrimage of listening, discerning, and prayer. We, who have been baptized from when we were children, attested to the faith by our godparents, also receive faith anew each Easter as we walk with one another and infuse the earth with God’s goodness. The sound of choral praise, the glorious scent of anointing, the majestic wonder of the fire, first seen as the Easter candle is lit, and then carried within our own heart are grace-filled, joyous greetings to our God this Easter season. We receive the gift of His matchless love from Jesus the Eucharist, and our soul carries forth this divine offering to one another.
We are called this Easter season to continue the work of Jesus as did the apostles, the first Christians, the communion of saints — quite a heavenly crew whom we follow! In our pursuit of Jesus’ mission, we must be careful not to fall into the sin of pride, the desire to make oneself into God. We must always remember to be humble and to think about things from above, not of this earth. St. Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in God.”
Jesus tells us that His own know His voice and follow. During this Easter season, let us fine tune our ears, our lips, our taste, our sight, our touch that we only hear, speak, breathe, see, and touch with the tenderness of God. Let us turn to God in all ways!
As we receive Jesus the Eucharist, we remember that we are in communion with one another. Our faith is not individual. Our faith is the communion of praise for God that involves all the saints. If we are in pursuit of Jesus’ mission, to make God known among all the people, then we also know that our faith involves other people. St. Augustine said that the people of this earth are our fellow future citizens of heaven. So, we join with one another in praise of God; we tender our offering of financial contributions, food, clothing to be Eucharist while we live on this earth. Look at the people around you and know they are of God. You are called to minister to them as you would Jesus.
Practically, how do we adjoin one another in this selfless, divine love? Acknowledge the sacredness of one another. Smile up, instead of looking down. Speak a greeting, “hello,” “good day” to someone. Call a family member or friend with whom you have not spoken in quite some time. St. Peter tells us to be patient when we suffer for doing what is good, and this is a grace before God. Bring food to your parish pantry or Catholic Charities of Central Florida. Pray for someone whom you know is struggling. Let that person(s) know you are praying for him/her. Offer words of kindness to everyone you meet. Get involved in a parish ministry. Be a counterweight to hatred. Remember that you are beloved – as is your neighbor. How does “beloved” imbue the earth with holiness? Love outwardly, not inwardly.
Pope Leo XIV wisely advises, “Faces and voices are sacred. God, who created us in His image and likeness, gave them to us when He called us to life through the Word He addressed to us. This Word resounded down the centuries through the voices of the prophets, and then became flesh in the fullness of time. We too have heard and seen this Word (cf. 1 Jn 1:1-3) — in which God communicates His very self to us — because it has been made known to us in the voice and face of Jesus, the Son of God.
Do not be the gate keeper. Let your whole being be the gate of Jesus.