Message of the Day
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Today is the day of salvation for the world. . . Christ is risen from the dead: arise with him. Christ returns to himself: you also must return to him. Christ has come forth from the tomb: free yourselves from the fetters of evil. The gates of hell are open and the power of death is destroyed. The old Adam is superseded, the new
perfected. In Christ a new creation is coming to birth: renew yourselves.
- Gregory Nazianzen [4th C.], Oration #45 for Easter -
(What anxieties or attachments are disturbing your peace? Hold them up to these Easter affirmations and let the power of Christ's resurrection melt them away.)
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Readings of the Day
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ACTS 2:14, 22-33; PS 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; MT 28:8-15 R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Gospel
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Do not be afraid.
The shift of emotions is so sudden in this story: loss, fear, rejoicing. No wonder the women need to touch Jesus, to ensure that what they have seen is real before they are willing to move forward and announce the resurrection. We may not be able to pay him homage by embracing his feet like the women he sent forth, but we can honor him by sharing the message in our own way today. Jesus conquered sin and death! He is alive, and present for us! Let us proclaim the good news to all longing for this message of love and salvation. The triumph of the resurrection assures us that there's nothing to fear.
Lord, help us to conquer our fear and go forth to proclaim your word, we pray. - by Patricia Russell
My Daily Bread
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Spiritual Reading
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The Sparkling Stone, by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
Hear now three things which constitute a good person. The first, which a good person must have, is a clean conscience without reproach of mortal sin. And therefore whosoever wishes to become a good person must examine and prove himself with due discernment, from that time onward when he could first have committed sin. And from all these sins he must purge himself, according to the precept and the custom of Holy Church. The second thing which pertains to a good person is that he must in all things be obedient to God, and to Holy Church, and to his own proper convictions. And to each of these three he must be equally obedient: so shall he live without care and doubt, and shall ever abide without inward reproach in all his deeds.
The third thing which behoves every good person is that in all his deeds he should have in mind, above all else, the glory of God. And if it happens that by reason of his business or the multiplicity of his works, he has not always God before his eyes, yet at least there should be established in him the intention and desire to live according to the dearest will of God. Behold, these three things, when they are possessed in this way, make one good. And whosoever lacks any one of these three is neither good nor in the grace of God; but whenever one resolves in his heart to fulfil these three points, how wicked soever he may have been before, in that very instant he becomes good, and is susceptible of God, and filled with the grace of God.
- Chapter One
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