Fifth Sunday of Easter-C

May 19, 2019

Readings for Sunday

Acts of the Apostles 14: 21-27

Revelation 21: 1-5a

John 13: 31-33a, 34-35

“Behold, I make all things new,” God says to us in today’s second reading from the Book of Revelation. And I say to you – a blessed Easter, everybody!

         Now, you may be wondering why I am still offering Easter greetings four weeks after the great feast!

Just as it took us 40 days to prepare for Easter – that’s what Lent was all about – so now it takes us 50 days to celebrate Easter. That will bring us up to the Feast of Pentecost – three weeks from now – when we unite with Our Lady and the Apostles as they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

So, be patient with me, because I like to say “Happy Easter” for the 50 days of this great season!

And, of course, every Sunday throughout the year is a “little Easter,” as we come together for Mass on the first day of every week to profess our faith in the Resurrection of Jesus.

         We sometimes call this 50-day Easter season of rejoicing the “paschal season” or “paschaltide.” We sing “alleluia!” all over the place, we give the paschal candle prominence, and we wear the dazzling white or gold vestments.

Our RCIA catechumens and candidates are no longer “waiting,” but now are full members of the Church, and their presence among us – after their Baptism and profession of faith, Confirmation and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil – reminds us of the power of the sacraments, and the constant growth of the Church.

Our second-graders received our Lord in Holy Communion for the first time two weeks ago already.

Our young people look forward to soon graduating from eighth grade, high school and college, trusting in God for a future full of promise and hope. [We celebrated with them at our Baccalaureate Mass this Sunday at 11:00 AM.]

Our engaged couples are getting ready to approach the altar for the sacrament of Matrimony. [I celebrated the wedding Mass of Ryan Evansco and Andrew Wyszynski yesterday afternoon.] Our engaged couples are eager to seal their love for each other and conform it to God’s love – which is forever, faithful and life-giving.

And, during these paschal days, on Saturday, 18 May, nine transitional deacons knelt before Bishop Perez in the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist to be ordained as priests: seven for our diocese and two for other places. One of them is Father Michael Petkosek from Saint Peter Parish in Lorain. I ask you to keep them – and me – in your prayers.

         See, the radiance of our Lord’s risen life is flourishing in the sacraments and blessed events all over the place! Can you blame me for still wishing you a “blessed Easter!”?

Spring helps set the tone, doesn’t it? Winter is over. The earth itself has come alive. Gardens are being planted. Grass, flowers and trees are growing. Each day we see more light than darkness. Nature mirrors the supernatural, as God’s life flourishes in our souls and in the Church.

It’s all about the paschal mystery: the dying and rising of Jesus, and our share in it. Jesus invites us to die with Him to sin, selfishness and Satan, and to rise with Him to new life. That’s the sacred rhythm of Christian discipleship: at times we’re on the cross with Jesus; at other times we’re risen to new life with Him.

“This is the day the Lord has made! Let us be glad and rejoice in it!”

“He has risen as He said, alleluia, alleluia!”

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done. It is wonderful in our eyes.”

“Behold, I make all things new.”

A blessed Easter, everyone! And let’s keep celebrating ‘til Pentecost!