News - April 2021 RSS Feed

Do you prefer good fruit or bad fruit? I know…a ridiculous question! Everyone, including the Lord our God, wants good fruit. And the Lord will do whatever is necessary so that we bear good fruit, both interiorly as well as exteriorly. Our readings deal with that today.

Today we hear about two images: the rejected stone and the good shepherd. Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders, who has become the cornerstone (Responsorial Psalm 118). And Jesus is also the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.

Why bring up the ugly topic of sin? The Easter Season is such a joyful time that it seems out of place to talk about sin, right? Not really. Because Easter, by definition, celebrates Christ’s victory precisely over sin. And that is a common denominator in our readings today.

As a kid I was fascinated with the Church calendar hanging in my grandma’s kitchen. I would look at the saints who were pictured there each month and read what it said about them. I remember being curious that the Wednesday of Holy Week was called “Spy Wednesday,” and the Sunday after Easter was named “Low Sunday.” I found out that it was called “low” only because Easter is so “high.”

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone.” This song written by the Gaithers aptly expresses our resurrection faith and what it means in our lives. Today is a victory celebration. Today we rejoice in the definitive triumph of Jesus over Satan, sin and death. The resurrection of Jesus is the pledge of our own salvation, resurrection and victory. “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Alleluia!

Last year, in April 2020, we were wondering how long our lockdown due to this “COVID thing” would last, and if we would be free by Easter. Well, we all found out, didn’t we? Now in April 2021, we are a year later – older, wiser, and thankful that we are seeing some signs of progress.