Scripture Reflections Easter 2023

Sunday, April 9, 2023

April 9, 2023 - Easter Sunday
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040923.cfm
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-april-9-2023
Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5: 6B-8
John 20:1-9

It is finally Easter- the culmination of our liturgical year - our cause for celebration! Yet it seems difficult to imagine celebrating at this time of crisis in our Church and in our world. We are reminded in the second reading(s) this Easter to, “think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” To “clear out the old yeast...the yeast of malice and wickedness” and to celebrate the feast “with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Our call this Easter is not to forget, ignore, or minimize the evil that has plagued our Church and harmed so many – our call is to cleanse and purify. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus calls us to begin anew in sincerity and truth. To “think of what is above,” is not to abandon those seeking justice and longing for healing, nor to blindly trust those who have caused harm; but rather to leave all that burdens us in the tomb and place our hope in the new life of resurrection in Christ!

God, our Father, never had as His plan a living death for us; He created us for an abundant life of knowing, loving and serving Him. Jesus’ death and resurrection frees us from the weight of our woundedness and offers us the hope of healing.

Jesus, I cannot contain my joy and happiness that You conquered death – Yours and mine! Thank you for freeing me to choose the life God wants for me, to learn ways to live abundantly, love freely, and trust in You. Thank You for Your love of me! Amen.
-from The Way: A Healing Retreat for Survivors of Abuse
Sue Stubbs – Archdiocese of Atlanta
Not to be reprinted without written permission.