Gospel Reflections for April 16 2017
Easter changes everything!
For years, Jesus taught parables and scriptures, and performed miracles, and all of this had a tremendous effect. He made people profoundly happy! He also claimed to be the long-awaited Savior who would lead people to lasting happiness. However, archaeologists today affirm that many other people at that time did the same thing, …so how was Jesus different?
Before Easter, people saw Jesus as a wise man who could interpret scriptures with profound insights and heal people of diseases. They knew He was a courageous preacher unlike others, and had attracted thousands of followers. But none of that made a lasting difference in history.
After all, people saw other talented people do the same things. They remembered the wisdom of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Jewish prophets too. These were towering figures in the ancient world known for their intelligence and wisdom. Wise people were everywhere.
What happened on Easter Sunday morning changed everything.
Earlier, on Good Friday, Jesus was brutally crucified and buried, leaving the Roman soldiers naturally thinking, “Well …that’s the end of him!” Yet, on that first Easter Sunday morning, Jesus rose from the dead. That changed everything!
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and wise Jewish prophets had also died …and remained so. However, Jesus rose from the dead. Take note of that!
No longer can we simply look at Jesus as just another wise teacher. Now we must recognize He is the Son of God, and that His words and deeds are directly from God. That means we must look at everything He did and said in a whole new light as well.
Either the story of the resurrection of Jesus is true or it is not true. If not true, then we can sleep in on Sundays. However, if true, then it is worth our taking seriously, which means that His life, His words, and His deeds are directly from God, and worth our thoughtful reflection.
Why is it worthwhile to study and follow Him? We believe that living the life of Jesus will make you profoundly happier, no matter what you are facing, just as He revealed when He lived so many years ago. His resurrection is God’s affirmation that His words and deeds are worth following precisely because they are from God, and will provide for your lasting happiness. Happy Easter!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
A most beautiful, precious Easter to you Father Dave!!! We believeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! We loveeeeeeeeeeee our beautiful Faith!!We loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our precious Jesus!! We are sooooooooooooooo blessed with our gift of our Jesus of love!!!! A most Divine life of total love and we must share our Jesus’ love with the world and make it beautiful as you do!!! Happy, Happy Easter of LOVE!!!
Loveeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
Happy Easter!
Dear Father Dave,
The happiest of Easter blessings to you during this holy season, Yes, Jesus’ death and resurrection certainly changed the course of our lives and history,
Thank you, too, for your weekly gospel synopses. It’s so beautiful to read your reflections.
God bless!
Thank you, and Happy Easter!
Several friends of mine and I wonder how anyone can get by in this world without Jesus. It is not necessarily easy to follow Jesus; as you say, “That means we must look at everything He did and said in a whole new light as well.” Like “Love thy enemy” and “Eat my flesh.” But without Jesus the world just doesn’t make sense.
Yes, I agree, that it is in only by following Jesus that we can negotiate this world.
Hi Fr Dave:
Barbara and I always enjoy your weekly gospel reflections. All the best to you.
Happy Easter,
Argyle
Thank you, and a blessed Easter to you both!
It must have been a welcome surprise when the disciples saw Jesus alive again,
and happy to know that He will be with them!
The resurrection was the final proof that Jesus was indeed the Son of God.
It was a life changing experience for us when Jesus rose from the dead, and gave us
a share in His divine life!
Happy Easter, Fe. Dave!
Yes, Easter changed everything!
Just to thank you for sowing the seeds at St. Paschal’s. Our task is to nurture them and
look forward to the harvest. Thank you for all your dedication throughout your ministry.
Happy Easter!
Bob and Rose Mary
Thank you, and Happy Easter!
Today we were talking about what Jesus went through for us. The humanity even asked to that if there was any other way but also said that “thy will be done”. I saw a film once when the Filipinos were getting themselves put on the cross. They couldn’t take it for more than a minute, the pain was so great. Jesus just took it. He even still had time to think of His mother and the other guy on the cross during that excruciating time. That had to be God. Talk about God’s love for us. WOW…
Have a blessed day.
It is amazing to contemplate what Our Lord went through for us. Food for thought for a lifetime.