What happens next ?
John 3:15-21
“…. so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”
If I were one of Jesus disciples on Good Friday, I would be lost because all the hopes and dreams of the Messiah would have been destroyed. The light of the world had just been extinguished. Just like Peter, I would have denied Christ. All is lost. No more Jesus. However, the story is not over. In today’s Gospel the angel said, ( Matthew 28 : 7) Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ *** Remember the verse from Palm Sunday’s Gospel when Jesus said (Matthew 26:31.32) Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written:
‘I will strike the shepherd,and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed’;but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee. Not sure why Jesus said this other than to predict His death and resurrection and why meet them in Galilee, other than Galilee was home. If someone has an answer to this I would be interested.
Now that was news. So don’t look at the nightly news today. Look to what will be happening in the Catholic Church throughout the world today at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks, ND and in Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Saint Petersburg, FL. He is raised from the dead and the truth will come to the light by the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist and Marriage. Think of the joyful chorus in Heaven as the world somewhere around 8PM in every time zone this evening as the light of Christ comes into the world.
A good number of Catholics have never experienced this liturgy. It really is beautiful. Much like Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve it is full of rich scripture and wonderful ceremonies. I have served in choirs and as an observer in dozens of such liturgies on Holy Saturday. For two years I taught RCIC ( Rite of Christian Initiation for Children). The most beautiful part is the looks on the faces of the catechumens receiving the sacraments and to the glory of God proclaimed on their faces. The joy in heaven must be thunderous.
The real news story today is that the light of Christ has come into the world for so many people this very evening. Even if we are not at this evening’s liturgy in your own parish. Please join me in prayer for the thousands and thousands of men, women and children who accept the light of Christ and come to full communion with the Church throughout the world. We too will renew our Baptismal Vows and join the entire Church rejoicing and there you will see Him in Galilee and throughout the world.
Happy Easter! The light of Christ has come into the world.
God Bless
Bob Burford
