Third Sunday of Easter

My Dear Parishioners,

Today is the Third Sunday of Easter and the Scriptural texts speak of the Risen Christ and His triumph over death. In the Gospel we hear the account of the Risen Christ’s walk with two disciples on their way to Emmaus. This event takes place on Easter Sunday afternoon as the despondent disciples flee Jerusalem seeking safety. Jesus, risen from the dead, appears and walks with them although they do not recognize Him. As they share their sorrow and confusion, the Risen Christ proclaims the Scriptures and interprets them. When they reach their destination they recognize the Risen Christ in the “breaking of the bread” and then He vanishes from their sight. As we consider what Jesus had done we see that this was the second time that the Holy Mass was offered. The Lord presides at the Liturgy of the Word; proclaiming the Scriptures and giving the homily. The Liturgy of the Eucharist takes place at the inn at Emmaus where the Lord does what He did at the Last Supper, “ He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.” These Eucharistic gestures brought about recognition and faith. 
 
Every Sunday of the year is like Easter for us. This is why the Lord’s Day, the first day of the week, is the Christian Sabbath. Christ’s Holy Resurrection is the cause of our great joy and the cornerstone of our faith. We follow the tradition of the Apostles and gather to celebrate the Eucharist each week, on the first day of the week, to remember and rejoice in the Paschal Mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death and Resurrection. Excusing ourselves from such a celebration is a grave offense. It will lead us to become despondent and wander aimlessly into darkness and despair.
 
The Easter joy of the Lord’s Day must never be extinguished from our hearts. We must be vigilant in our secular culture not to compromise the sacredness of the Lord’s Day by substituting trivial things in its place. Sometimes our family and friends will even try to have us minimize Sunday to any other day of the week. Be on guard! The Lord’s Day is holy and the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is always a must!
 
We will witness the children of both Saint Cecilia Parish and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish receiving their First Holy Communion beginning this Sunday and next Sunday. Our children always anticipate this event with great joy and excitement. I am proud of their parents who bring them to this day. However, I am very concerned that parents will model for their children weekly Mass attendance. Dad and Mom must show by example and encourage participation in the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. Neglecting this duty is an offense against God to whom they will one day be called to give an accounting. Dad and Mom are crucial is fostering faith within the hearts of their children. The love of Dad and Mom should strengthen this faith so that one day they may all be in the joy of eternal life with Christ our Risen Lord. The Lord is counting on Dad and Mom to keep Easter alive each Sunday within the home and the hearts of their children. PRAY FOR OUR PARENTS THAT THEY WILL HAVE THE STRENGTH TO MODEL FAITH FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
 
Christ Is Risen!
Father Zig