Brothers and Sisters in Christ, may the Lord who is risen, give you peace. Easter—the day that changed everything. It’s the day we recall that Jesus, who was crucified, died, and was laid in the tomb, has risen from the dead. This is the core of our faith and the source of our hope: that Christ has conquered sin and death, opening the way for us to share in eternal life with the Trinity and all the citizens of heaven, our true homeland.
In our first reading from the Book of Acts, St. Paul reminds us that Jesus’s death and resurrection fulfill God's promises. Though the leaders of Jerusalem condemned Him unjustly, God raised Jesus from the dead, confirming His divine Sonship. The resurrection isn’t just a past event; it’s the moment that transformed history and our lives, notwithstanding which century we have lived in. The past was shaped by it, and every future generation to come will be effected as well. It’s the promise that death does not have the final word—that eternal life is possible for all who believe.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks these comforting words: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Even amid life's struggles, He asks us to trust in Him. He assures us that He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. He prepares a place for us in His Father’s house—a place of everlasting joy and peace. Whereas Satan and the forces of wickedness create tension and pressure in our lives, Jesus sets us free and puts our hearts to rest.
As we reflect on these truths, I invite you to think of Saint Francis of Assisi, a great saint who lived simply but loved profoundly. Saint Francis’s life was a testament to trusting in God's plan and decisively embodying Christ’s love. He teaches us that true wealth is found not in possessions but in loving God and our neighbours, and his entire creation, the work of his hand. Heaven is part of that creation which exists extraneous to God himself. God does not depend on its existence and yet he made it, and us being there with him, part of his eternal plan.
So, we need to ask ourselves; how do we get to heaven? How do we live in a way that prepares us for eternal life?
First, we deepen our relationship with Jesus. Like Saint Francis, who sought to follow Christ closely, we do this through prayer, reading Scripture, and receiving the sacraments. The closer we stay to Christ, the more our hearts are transformed.
Second, we live with faith and trust. Saint Francis trusted in God's providence even in his poverty and simplicity. We, too, can trust that the Lord’s promises are true, especially the promise of eternal life. When we truly believe, our choices and decisions take on a new trajectory.
Third, we love and serve others. Saint Francis’s life was marked by humility and compassion. By caring for the poor, the sick, and creation itself, we imitate Christ’s love and grow in holiness.
Fourth, we keep our eyes on heaven. Saint Francis always looked beyond worldly riches to the eternal riches of God's kingdom. Let us live each day with this eternal perspective, striving to grow in holiness and be ready for Christ’s return.
Finally, we remain vigilant and prepared. Jesus reminds us that we do not know the hour of His coming. Living faithfully, joyfully, and with a spirit of service ensures we are ready should He return gloriously within our own lifetime. We should never commit the sin of presumption and think, “He would never return now, not within my lifetime.” We know not the day or the hour. Let’s keep ourselves busy for the honour and glory of God, helping him to continue to establish his kingdom on earth.
May the joy of the Resurrection fill your hearts today and always, just as it did with our Blessed Mother and all those blessed Saints and Angels who enjoy God’s goodness in eternal bliss and paradise. Courage, the Lord is with you… always.
Add comment
Comments