Gospel for April 20 2025 – John 20: 1-9
Gospel Reflections for April 20 2025: Easter Sunday
Love …no matter what!
The first Easter was the happy conclusion to a tragic week.
On Thursday, Jesus gathered His disciples at the Last Supper, where he said the same Mass that we say today. Our Lord gets up to humbly wash His disciple’s feet from the dust common to people walking around town, even while knowing His closest friends would soon betray Him.
Next, He travels with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane where He is soon arrested and taken to local religious and government officials for trial. All His disciples run away. He is then falsely accused of various crimes and sent to Pilate, the Roman Governor, for execution.
He is violently whipped and tortured and then given a heavy cross to carry to His long and painful crucifixion.
Who would endure all this? Only someone for whom love can never be stopped by anything other people do. Jesus never lets other people’s lack of love affect His love for you. He was willing to go through all this suffering to offer you a path to your lasting happiness.
Today we see bad behavior around the world, maybe even in your world. Do you feel like losing hope? Jesus never did. Nor should you.
Jesus was on a mission of love, and He would never let anyone get in the way of His showing it. Even while surrounded by evil people He remained true to His mission to love. That is your task as well today. Love, no matter what you face.
Never let anyone’s lack of love affect your love.
The shortest summary of our Catholic faith is that you love no matter what other people may do. Jesus never let others change His mission to love. Nor should you.
Only one person in all of human history has ever risen from the dead. That means Jesus is from God, which means He is worth taking seriously. The kind of love that Jesus offers can never be stopped by any human evil. That is the life to learn in our challenging world!
We often say this beautiful phrase today. “Have a Happy Easter.” It means to have that happiness now. Our faith is not nostalgia for the past but having the person of Jesus with you now.
Decide to make this life of Jesus a daily practice every day, every week …and all year long!
Have a Happy Easter!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Great Reflection Fathers!
Very inspiring and uplifting.
Thank you.🙏
You are welcome!
Dear Father Dave,
Yesterday’s Good Friday remembrance was as heartrending as ever. To think that Jesus offered Himself in such unbearable torture and death for our salvation soars on the winds of time and pierces every soul. Fait accompli….
Have a blessed, joyous Easter.
God bless!
Kathleen
Happy Easter Season!
Beautiful, Fr. Dave. Thank you for your reflections. And a Happy Easter to you!
God bless,
Jennifer
Happy Easter Season!
Beautiful Reflection on the life and times of Jesus Christ. His obedience to the will of his Father was Amazing to recall. Easter is a great time to appreciate all we have in our Majestic
Catholic Faith.
Happy Easter to All and let us appreciate what was done for our Eternal Salvation.
Easter is the very center and foundation of our faith.
We witnessed once again the unselfish love that Jusus has for us.
We give Him the honor, the glory and praise for everything!
We also praise and thank the wonderful priests who carry on His mission of love
for us.
Happy Easter, Fr. Dave.
You understand Easter well!
Love your precious words!! Loveeee our precious Jesus! W must live His love for he surrendered His precious life so we might have forgiveness and eternal life!!! Lets live our Jesus’ love and make our world beautiful in His Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
Thank you!
Happy EasterFr.Dave. So sad about our Pope Francis. Hope to see you soon. Sending you love always.
Mary Jo Leste
Pope Francis lived a long and holy life. Not a bad legacy!