Gospel Reflections for Easter 2016
Easter Changes everything!
For years, Jesus preached parables, taught scriptures, and performed miracles throughout Galilee and Jerusalem, and all of His words and deeds had a tremendous effect. He made people profoundly happy! He also claimed to be the long awaited Messiah from God 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, everyone saw Jesus as a wise man who could interpret the scriptures with profound insights. They affirmed He was a miracle worker who could heal people of diseases. They acknowledged He was a bold preacher who spoke courageously as few others had. They also recognized He attracted thousands of followers. But none of those events 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 Easter Sunday morning, Jesus rose from the dead. That changed everything!
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and wise Jewish prophets had 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 filled with great insights. 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 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 Him? We believe that living the life of Jesus will make you profoundly happier, no matter what you are facing, just as He proclaimed while He lived so many years ago. His resurrection is God’s affirmation that His words and deeds are worth following precisely because they work for your lasting happiness. Happy Easter!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Thank you once again for all your thoughtful Insights.. And Have a HAPPY..HAPPY EASTER
I wish for you an Happy Easter as well!
Happy Easter, Fr. Dave, and thank you! The consequence of knowing Jesus more is falling in love with Him. The consequence of loving Him is wanting to serve Him which can only be done by loving and serving His beloveds.
Weel said!
After visiting the Holy Land with you last summer, our experiences brought us closer to the Scriptures and retracing the footsteps of Jesus. We have a different perspective of Easter this year. As always, you put the HAPPY in Easter and everyday. Thank you always for your uplifting optimistic messages.
Now you know what I look forward to going tot he Holy Land every year! I am glad you enjoyed it as well. Happy Easter!
Happy Easter, Fr Dave. Alleluia! He Arose! And, I thank God He did so. Alleluia!
Happy Easter!
Fr. Dave,
Well said – May the Lord bless you and keep you always!
Buona Pasqua
Buona Pascua!
Happy Easter to you also, Father Dave! For me, faith is a great mystery. As you say, you either believe in the Resurrection or you don’t. If you do you are happy, and if you don’t, you don’t have any believable reason to be alive. Are we alive in order to take care of the gardens and animals? Why? Are we alive to love our families and neighbors? Perhaps, but why? Are we alive to discover the myriad intricacies of the world around us? Why? Who can answer without thinking of God, eternity and infinity..
To me, an answer is that our Creator loves His creation and has a plan for bringing it close to Himself forever.
I agree. God wants all of creation to join Him freely in love.
Beautifully expressed Father Dave!!!We have an incredibly amazing Faith with its heartbeat being LOVE!!!!! Jesus’ teaching were centered on love, forgiveness, healing, caring, sharing ourselves with others!!!!! He died for us so we could return to our God if we live His love!! Then he showed us the beauty of the Resurrection proving He was God’s Son and thus revealing to us that eternity is a living reality!!!! And it’s ours!!!! if we follow and live Jesus’ love!! We should have Jesus living in us, then we can touch everyone with Jesus’ love and lead ourselves and others to Heaven, an eternity of joy!!! Jesus’ Resurrection proves the authenticity of our Faith and the beauty of one day living our eternity with our loving God, our precious Jesus, our beautiful Blessed Mother, our dear family and lovely friends!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!!
We all are so preciously blessed!! Happy Easter to you Father Dave!!!!
With so much love!!! Love, Franca and Dick
Happy Easter!
Happy and blessed Easter to you. I was thinking that,m how can we add to what was already said and you reflection got me thinking. When in Bible Collage I studied Biblical history and the Pentateuch but not church history. It would be interesting to know if any others that claimed to be the Christ were executed. If not, what a threat he was to the Jewish leaders. Also, can you imagin afer he rose from the dead the fear they must have had realising but not acknowledging that he was a great man and theyu were not stupid so had to wonder if he really was Christ on earth . i tried to imagin what their thoughts might have been. Of course they had to continue to persecute Christians but you couldn’t help but wonder what they were really thinking and trying to justify. Wow that would be living with quite a bit of guilt.
I have been listening to resurection songs today. “He’s Alive and what a way to get focused on what Jesus has don for us. No matter what is going on politically it is a great time of the year if we keep our minds andhearts on Christ.
Yes, there are historical records of others who have been crucified and who claimed to be the Messiah. Theudas is one, and he is actually mentioned in the scriptures (Acts 5: 36). There were several others as well. All of their efforts completely ended with their death. Not so Jesus!
( Living the life of Jesus will make you profoundly happier ) totally true .Happy Easter Father Dave
Happy Easter!
The resurrection is the final proof that Jesus is who He claimed to be….the Son of God.
Jesus rose from the dead as a precursor to our resurrection. He longs to share His risen
life with us, and as you say, Fr. Dave, to guide us on the road to everlasting happiness.
We read your response on the meaning of Easter in the Acorn……very inspiring.
Happy Easter Season.
thank you!