This Is the Day the Lord Has Made

Catechesis At Home – Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord – Year B

This is the Day the Lord Has Made

REFLECTION – This is the Day the Lord Has Made

The Psalmist proclaims: “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!” (Psalm 118:24) Are you glad it’s Easter? Are you glad it’s Springtime? Are you glad for your life, health, family and friends? Are you glad we are beginning to see an end to the COVID pandemic?

This Easter season, we have much to rejoice about. But, the singular thing we should rejoice about each and every day is the Salvation that we celebrate on Easter – the Resurrection! Jesus died for us and for our salvation, He took our sins and offered Himself as the sacrifice. In Him our sins are forgiven. But that is not the end of the story! St. Peter in today’s first reading tells the amazing Good News: “This man God raised on the third day…. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43) And St. Paul continues, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:2-4)

The Apostles were perplexed at the empty tomb, they did not yet understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead to accomplish the mission. (Jn. 20:9) When He proclaimed from the cross, “It is finished”, they really thought that was the end. Then, on the third day, the tomb was empty, He appeared to them and they did not recognize Him because He was transformed through death and resurrection! We also will be transformed, if we believe in Him and follow Him and proclaim with the Apostles the Good News. Today is our chance to continue the mission of Jesus and His Apostles. As baptized Christians, we are included in the mission. Let’s do it!

This is truly the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad!

DISCUSSION – Is This the Day the Lord Has Made?

In what ways are you rejoicing today? In what areas of your life or people in your life do you find joy? How can you share your joy with others?

Those things you committed to last week should be on the list. When we give Jesus our best it fills us with joy. So, how are those things going?  Do a little check up on that commitment. If you set goals in January, now is a great time to reassess and look at your progress, make changes or set new ones!

ACTIVITY – How Do We Participate In This Day the Lord Has Made?

Easter is a season of 50 days. Plan how your family will celebrate this 50-day long feast…to rejoice each day the Lord has made. You can keep your Easter decorations up until Pentecost, or you can have a Resurrection Tree (every time someone does a good thing or has a prayer or praise or thanksgiving, place an ornament or flower on the tree), or do a service project together as a family, or plant a garden together. In some way, continue the celebration of Easter Sunday throughout the season. There is a reason Easter lasts longer than Lent!

EASTER EXTRAS

Visit our EASTER RESOURCES Page for activities and a basket full of Easter opportunities for Family Faith Formation! Easter Story Cookies – A recipe and story in one! Help your children learn the story as you make special cookies that resemble the empty tomb! Resurrection Rolls – Yummy, easy, fun Easter morning breakfast with a message! And an Easter Coloring Book

Here’s our short video lesson on “Joy” from our “Spirit In Life: Fruits of the Spirit” video series.

Other Easter-related items of interest on our site:

Third Week of Advent – Rejoice!

We Are Easter People – Episode 39

What are ways this is the day the Lord has Made?