Good News Inspiration for Daily Life
Bulletin Insert for April 19, 2020.
Description: Bulletin for the 2nd Sunday of Easter explains what it means to be an Easter people: We know and celebrate that Jesus has risen from the dead. And yet, we don’t always feel like celebrating. It’s hard to feel like the Good Friday experience of carrying our crosses has really ended.
The reading from 1 Peter 1:3-9 describes what the Easter experience is supposed to feel like: an indescribable and glorious joy. But how does that happen? The attitude of joy does not come from reaching the end of our cross-like burdens. Rather, it comes from knowing that Christ’s death and resurrection have overcome our crosses, and by uniting ourselves to his life, we are victorious even before we see the battle end. Furthermore, it comes from knowing that we have the ultimate victory. This joy-from-knowing is the definition of “hope”. Hope isn’t wishful thinking. Hope means celebrating what is certainly going to happen before it happens.
Ideas for use: Bulletin insert for the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday), handout for adult education, faith sharing groups, RCIA class, etc.