Easter Thursday
Acts 3:11-26
Psalm 8:2,5-9
Luke 24:35-48
There are countless powerful lessons we can learn from today’s readings. In the Gospel, we witness an incredible scene: the person who stands before the disciples, showing them his wounded hands and side, is a real person—not a ghost. Jesus is truly risen and alive! What a breathtaking moment! Just imagine what the disciples must have felt—joy intertwined with sadness, recalling how they ran away when he was arrested in Gethsemane. Yet, he calls them closer, inviting them to touch him, revealing his desire for a deeper connection. His wounds transform their disbelief and denial into healing, forgiveness, peace, and mercy. They open the gateway to salvation and eternal life. Isaiah 53:5 reminds us, "By his wounds, we are healed." The Church, as a visible sign of Christ’s love and the vessel of the Sacraments, is incredibly powerful. The Seven Sacraments—given by Christ—are profoundly effective in sharing His grace and glory with all who earnestly seek Him.
Another remarkable lesson is how the meaning of the Cross transforms with Christ’s death and resurrection. The Cross now signifies so many profound truths. Through his death, heaven and earth are united, and the Cross becomes a vital part of divine Providence. It stands as a pulpit of divine love—it's the greatest sign of God's eternal love, representing the perfect sacrifice that redeemed us. The Cross is the pinnacle of divine revelation, embodying divine solidarity with human suffering. It's the eternal act of forgiveness, the ultimate model of discipleship. From the Cross, Satan is cast out; it is the beauty that rescues the world, the love that refines us. It’s God’s love and forgiveness in action—a sacrifice, a victory over sin, a conqueror of evil, and ultimately, the death that defeats death itself (Hebrews 2:14-16). In today’s first reading, Peter proclaims the power of Christ’s resurrection—calling us all to repentance and faith in Jesus as our Savior, or face peril. Anyone—individuals, cultures, nations—that accepts Jesus will find salvation. The resurrection of Christ reveals the ultimate victory over death, a triumph for all.
The secret power of God is that all authority flows from Him—without Him, we are nothing. God is love. Some may think Catholics are wasting time worshipping at Mass, or that we’re misguided in gathering as God’s people. But divine wisdom teaches us that there’s a time to wait on God and a time to work for Him—and right now, it’s the time to wait on Him, to feel the power of Christ’s resurrection! These moments of waiting are vital—not just for our church, families, or communities, but for the entire world. Whenever Jesus appears to His disciples, He has a vital message to deliver. He teaches the Scriptures; they listen, and faith grows through hearing and obedience. Listening deepens prayer and begins good preaching. Our faith isn’t just for ourselves—it’s meant to be shared. So, take what you hear at Mass today and, through your actions, proclaim the Good News in a world desperate for hope. You are salt for the earth—stir things up, bring flavor to the dull, and ignite faith with God’s abundant grace!
Alleluia! The Lord is truly risen—Alleluia!
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