Sunday March 31, 2024

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“Learn how to see the hope of resurrection in the pain of the cross.”

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Good News Reflection for:

Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord
March 31, 2024

Today’s Prayer:

Lord Jesus: Give me a thirst for seeking you and having a personal meeting with you. Help me recognize your presence in my life, even when you seem absent. Amen.

Subscribe to Today’s Saint Quote & Prayer:
gnm.org/SaintQuotes/

Today’s Readings:

Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8
John 20:1-9
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033124.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/2021-04-04

God has surprises for you!

Celebrate! Today is the anniversary of the Great Surprise, and just as the first disciples were surprised to find the tomb empty, so too does God have some resurrection surprises in mind for you!

In Easter Sunday’s Gospel reading, there’s a lot of scurrying around and excitement and hearing reports of some amazing news that no one yet understands. Even though Jesus had given them advance notice that he would rise again after being put to death, God’s plans took them by surprise. They did not expect a resurrection. They didn’t understand that it was a necessary part of the Messiah’s mission.

God’s plans often take us by surprise. In so many situations of our lives, we don’t understand that hard times are going to produce wonderful victories. We fail to realize that the empty tombs in our lives (the losses that we grieve) are beginnings of important new growth. We cannot imagine how Jesus is going to redeem bad times into great blessings.

We suffer through the hardships, just trying to cope, waiting for an opportunity to finally walk away from our crosses. Meanwhile, Jesus wants to give us an Easter morning because of the crosses.

How can we recognize the glory of God when we’re depressed? How can we realize our resurrections when we’re cursing our crosses? It’s impossible!

To be the Easter people that we’re supposed to be, we have to learn how to see the hope of resurrection in the pain of the cross. We have to trust that Jesus is always there, working a plan to redeem bad into good. We have to allow ourselves to be surprised by God.

Questions for Personal Reflection:
What trials are you still enduring? What cross are you still carrying? Are you still being nailed for something you did not do? Which of your desires or dreams are dying? Ask the Father to use your sufferings for the glory of his kingdom. What new life is this creating for you?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
What are some of the ways in which God has surprised you? How is this an experience of resurrection?

To reflect more about this topic, use our video “How to turn your crosses into resurrections” @ https://gnm-media.org/turn-crosses-resurrections-part-11/.

© 2024 by Terry A. Modica

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