Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: April 26, 2009Third Sunday of Easter, Cycle B
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: To distribute copies of this reflection, please order the printer-ready leaflet from Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/April/Easter3.htm
Next Sunday's Readings:Acts 3:13-15, 17-19Ps 4:2, 4, 7-91 John 2:1-5aLuke 24:35-48http://www.usccb.org/nab/042609.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_04_26.mp3
Now that we're a renewed people — an Easter people — the scriptures at Mass remind us of the stark difference between living a redeemed life and living in sin. The first reading for next Sunday says: "Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away." The second reading says: "Those who say, 'I know him', but do not keep his commandments are liars, and the truth is not in them."
And the Gospel reading says: "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name...."
We are all liars in some way every day, professing our faith with our lips but not in our behaviors. Our actions often say that we don't truly believe what we say about Christ's love. Our worries say that we don't truly believe that God cares about each and every situation.
Our decisions say that we don't truly believe that Jesus knew what he was talking about when he commanded us to love our enemies and do good to those who hurt us. Our moral relativism says that we don't truly believe he was smarter than us when he gave us his commandments.
How loudly do your actions preach the truth about Jesus?
Too many Christians take advantage of what Jesus has done for them, thinking that this is enough to get them into heaven, without humbling themselves under the reality of their need for daily redemption.
God's not expecting perfection from us on this side of heaven's gate. What he does want, though, is our desire to become more and more like Christ every day. As long as we're continually examining our lives and educating ourselves about how we can improve, then doing what is necessary to change, God is very pleased with us.
Questions for Personal Reflection:What sinful tendencies still enslave you? What will you do this week to turn these over to Christ and his redemptive power?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:What do you do to stay in touch with your need for Christ and his redemptive power? How do you rely on the resurrected life of Christ to overcome sinful tendencies and enter into victorious Christian living?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
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