Acts 10:34, 37-43; Psalm 118; Colossians 3:1-4; Sequence; John 20: 1-9
“Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!” Easter Sequence
Easter is the celebration of new life! All creation joins in celebration as evidenced in our aged and beautiful magnolia trees on our lawn. We rejoice in the new life of nature bursting forth in us and all around us. Can you feel it?
We Christians echo with nature in celebrating the new life of God’s presence bursting forth among us through the resurrection of Jesus. Paul’s letter to the Colossians makes it very clear, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. “
At Easter we celebrate the historical event and the deepening of faith and Baptismal graces still unfolding within us as “new life” and the presence of the Spirit in our hearts as love, joy, peace and patient waiting.
Through God’s incarnation in Jesus is the sharing of God shares life with all believers. Athanasius proclaimed this truth: “God became human so humans could become divine.” We believers are the image of God poured out in the Spirit to become and be more God like. We proclaim it with our gospel lives.
The Sequence also echoes this same reality of deification:
“Yes, Christ my hope is risen; To Galilee he goes before you. Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!”
We ask God for the grace to hear Christ calling from the future and open our whole being to the unfolding mystery of the Risen Glorious Lord. May we radiate God’s presence, peace, joy and justice in all ways, always.
Sister Pat Horan, OP