He saw and believed

"He saw and believed." (John 20:8)

John saw the empty tomb and the clothes neatly arranged and believed that Jesus Christ was truly risen. What do I need to see and believe that Christ is truly risen and alive today?

I need to see His body, the Church at work and worship. I saw that this morning at the Center where I attended a course in catechism. I saw so many catechists giving up their Saturday to be at the same course. I felt the presence of Christ in the hall. This was not the first time I experienced this effect in a similar setting.

Life of the Church is centers on the Eucharist and other sacraments, ministering to the poor and the sick. When I see this, I believe that Christ is truly alive.

Eternal Values

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is of earth." (Colossians 3: 1-2)

What to seek? The Truth, Jesus Christ.

What to think of? Faith, hope, peace, joy, mercy, thankfulness, etc.

Seekfirst the Kingdom of God and His justice. Seekfirst the King.

Preach and Testify

"He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead." (Acts 10:42)

As I wait, help me to bear witness to you by word and deed to every person I meet that you are alive and indeed the Lord.

Healing Truth

"God our Father, creator of all, today is the day of Easter joy. This is the morning on which the Lord appeared to men who had begun to lose hope and opened their eyes to what the scriptures foretold: that first he must die, and then he would rise and ascend to his Father's glorious presence. May the risen Lord breathe on our minds and open our eyes that we may know him in the breaking of bread, and follow him in his risen life….." (Prayer at Easter Sunday Mass)

On Easter day, Christ appeared to men who had begun to lose hope and opened their eyes to what the scriptures foretold. Anytime you are tempted to lose hope, ask Christ to open your eyes to what scriptures foretell about your situation. For example:

What does Scripture say on:

• Family
  
• Money
  
• Job
  
• Health
  
• Tools
  
• Food
  

If you listen, you will hear a healing truth that brings calm and perspective to your situation.

Christ is Risen

"God our Father, by raising Christ your Son you conquered the power of death and opened for us the way to eternal life. Let our celebration today raise us up and renew our lives by the spirit that is within us ….." (Mass Prayer on Easter Sunday)

The power of death was definitely shattered by the resurrection of Christ. Christ's resurrection opened for you the way to eternal life. What is possible for a member of the same nature is possible for every member of that nature. Jesus Christ died as man. By rising from the dead, He proved that everyman can rise too from the dead.

The first Christian martyrs did not hesitate to lay down their lives for Christ (Revelation 12: 10) because they looked forward to their resurrection.

The Springs of Salvation

"You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid? My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water from the fountain of salvation." (Isaiah 12: 3, 2-3)

God indeed is my savior. I am confident and unafraid. I remain calm and He fights my battles for me.

Salvation through Baptism

"Father, even today we see the wonders of the miracles you worked long ago. You once saved a single nation from slavery, and now you offer that salvation to all through baptism. May the peoples of the world become true sons of Abraham and prove worthy of the heritage of Israel…." (Prayer at Mass on Holy Saturday)

The passage through the Red Sea is a type and shadow of Baptism through which God saves us.