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Sunday Homily – 14 May 2023

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Sixth Sunday of Easter

Also Read: Mass Readings for 14 May 2023 Mass Reading Reflection for 14 May 2023

Gospel: John 14: 15-21

“I will not leave you orphans”; it’s a promise we shall count on. It’s a promise often forgotten. And the enemies wish we forget it fast. We are regularly tempted to believe we are orphans. Many an enemy sneak in as benevolent custodians. Many fail to assert, ‘but, we are not orphans.’  We need to remind ourselves daily that we are not orphans.

An orphan often has to pretend, we don’t have to. We can be ourselves in the presence of the responsible parent, God. If you are not clean, don’t pretend otherwise, Jesus is ready to make you clean. If you feel weak, He is there to strengthen you. If you feel lonely, He is there to give you company.  If you are down, He is here with his extended arms to help you stand up.

The only binding chord between He and us is love. There is no other condition. With Jesus, love precedes all other commands. He did not say, “If you obey the commandments, I shall love you!” Instead, He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Obedience to His commandments is the proof of our love. When love is absent commandments are a burden. If the commandments are felt heavy, it implies the love has vanished. If you feel the ten commandments or the commandments of the church are burdensome, it indicates that your love for Jesus and his church is fragile.

Don’t panic even then. He has a counselor for you. The counselor shall strengthen you. He is here to set your heart on fire. Receive the Spirit with openness, let Him set your heart on the fire of love and trust. This great season of Easter is to set our hearts on fire.

Easter is the guarantee of a great promise. Pentecost is the fulfillment of the promise. We are in that season of the year celebrating both these great feasts. We need to celebrate grand these feasts because we are not orphans. As assured, Jesus lives, and as promised the Paraclete – the Holy Spirit is given.  And it was not just for a generation or for a short duration. The promise and its fulfillment are equally valid even to this day and will be valid until the end of time. 

When the going is getting tough, let us remind ourselves repeatedly that we are not orphans. Let us never behave as if we are orphans. The rules or the commandments are there because we are sons and daughters of Divine love.

Always stay close to that Divine love. Live Easter and Pentecost every day of our lives.

Amen.

Sunday Reflection – 14 May 2023

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Sixth Sunday of Easter

Also Read: Mass Readings for 14 May 2023 Homily for 14 May 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17

Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (17)

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Mt.10:5-6) Here, Christ forbids them from going to Samaria, possibly because it was not yet time. But at his ascension, he bids his apostles to witness in Samaria also. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

According to catholic commentaries, when Philip converts the Samaritans, it would have been seen by the apostles that it was now indeed “time”. Hence the strengthening or “confirmation” of their baptism was ensured. It is also seen as the administering of the sacrament of confirmation by Bishops as a strength to profess their faith publicly.

Thank You, LORD!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 66: 1-7, 16, 20

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise. (1-2)

Let all our noise be joyful in thanksgiving for each moment of our day. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Second Reading: First Peter 3: 15-18

In your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you. (15)

The hope that is in us can be challenged in a variety of ways and not necessarily always a direct one! For e.g: an irritating co-worker can be making a demand on one’s patience! But the conduct of the redeemed one will be their defense without them having to speak a word.

Help us, O Lord. Amen!

Gospel: John 14: 15-21

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you. (15-17)

“In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.” (19)

“They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” (21)

Today’s gospel is so deep and enriching, that every time we contemplate it, we are blessed. Christ offers his apostles comfort, strength, and peace just before his passion. He promises the Holy Spirit here, through whom we see the apostles performing many miraculous signs and wonders later on.

But he asks us today to keep his commandments as a sign of our love for him. Mt. 22:37-40 teaches us the greatest commandments. If we strive to keep those two commandments, God has promised we will see him while here on earth!

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Sunday Reflection – 07 May 2023

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Fifth Sunday of Easter

Also Read: Mass Readings for 07 May 2023

First Reading: Acts 6: 1-7

And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. (2)

The early Christians too had their share of debates but it is the apostles who brought about an amicable solution. The apostles were clear about their own mission and were able to direct the congregation accordingly. We learn many lessons today, like: there is room for making your voice heard while working towards one mission; we can find a fair path. However, above all, there needs to be clarity in our thoughts and plans. All of this is possible when the Holy Spirit is our constant counsellor because we need discernment in our decision-making. Only by making a conscious effort to yield to the Holy Spirit will we be able to progress on this path.

Each one of us has a unique assignment even as we journey on the one mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “The very differences which the Lord has willed to put between the members of his body serve its unity and mission. For “in the Church there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission…” (CCC 873, 814)

Let us work on our God-given talents and stay true to our calling. Let us humble ourselves and yield to the Holy Spirit, each time he disciplines us. Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19

Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (18-19)

Amen!

Second Reading: First Peter 2: 4-9

Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (5)

St. Peter is the rock on which Christ built his Church (Mt.16:18) and he is asking us to be “living stones”! We are to offer “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God”. In our unique roles, we ought to be living stones of faith. Not soft, soggy mud, but stones with the ability to brace against vile attacks or torrential floods. Because we “are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that we may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Amen!

Gospel: John 14: 1-12

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” (1)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (6)

Jesus Christ assures us of himself! He is with us always even until the end of age. (Mt. 28:19-20)

So let us rejoice on our way in Christ, Amen!

Sunday Homily – 30 April 2023

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Fourth Sunday of Easter

Also Read: Mass Readings for 30 April 2023 Mass Reading Reflection for 30 April 2023

Gospel: John 10: 1-10

Today is the Good Shepherd Sunday. It reminds us of the fulfillment of a profound Old Testament imagery: Lord as the Shepherd. Psalm 23 is the most popular psalm. It starts with, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd…’ By calling Himself the shepherd, Jesus asserts His identity as prophesied by the psalmist. Jesus is the shepherd, expected by the psalmist.

Shepherding was and is not an esteemed profession. They were seldom considered heroes. Most of them were hardly literate. It was a profession for the less privileged ones in the families and the communities. But Jesus compared himself to such a poor shepherd. Shepherd was His favorite self-portrait.

A regular shepherd counts his flock by number, but the good shepherd counts by name. Jesus does not count us by number, he calls us by name. If one is lost, He will not pacify himself that 99 are safe and in good custody. For Jesus, you are too precious to neglect. You are precious to Jesus. You are so precious to Him that He did not care about leaving Heaven for a while. You are so precious that He wanted to walk with you. You are so precious that he took it upon himself to pay the debts on your behalf: even though it meant dying a humiliating death on the cross. You are so precious that He conquered death and resurrected for you.  

You are so precious that He sent apostles and preachers to tell of his love and sacrifices. You are so precious that He shrunk Himself to a thin wafer in Blessed Sacrament. You are so precious that He waits for you at the confessional to forgive your sins and to encourage you to a better life. For Jesus, you are not a number, but you are a precious person He holds in high esteem.

Don’t be lesser than what you are. You are dear to God. If you find a fence around you, and a gate blocking you, it reminds you that He won’t let you perish. True love binds. Some see it as bondage and overlook the love that builds the fence around them. Wolfs detest fences and gates.  Jesus is the biggest gate loathed by the wolfs called devils.

The Church is the fence around us. Jesus is the gate of the Church. Stay inside the Church. There are wolves inviting us outside. They invite you to a world without boundaries. They keep inviting us to go outside the fences. They promise it is great to be outside the boundaries. Indeed, it is great for the predators; not for the sheep.

Choose wisely. Stay close to the Shepherd. Even when you fall down, stay close to Jesus. Stay close to Jesus like St. Peter. Even after denying Jesus, he did not run away from Jesus. He was there when Jesus turned back. Without uttering a word, Jesus once again held him close. His wounds were healed by a simple gaze.

It is worth staying close to the shepherd always. It is great to be within the fence otherwise called the Church. There were many who found the fence inconvenient and left the fence. Let us pray for their return. Pray that they return sooner than later; because your prayers count.

Amen.

Sunday Reflection – 30 April 2023

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Fourth Sunday of Easter

Also Read: Mass Readings for 30 April 2023 Homily for 30 April 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Acts 2: 14a, 36-41

Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (38)

We have been given seemingly simple steps to life in Christ; but are we humble enough to accept it? At the sacrament of reconciliation, do we truly repent of our sins? Or do we repeat them? When we receive baptism with faith, we also receive the Holy Spirit. But it is our hard-heartedness that prevents the working of the Holy Spirit within us.

We pray to St. Peter today, to intercede for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23: 1-6

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. (1-3)

Amen!

Second Reading: First Peter 2: 20b-25

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. (24-25)

By His wounds, we have been healed! Amen, Alleluia! We are his sheep and the thought of resting our heads on his bosom as we go to bed each night is very reassuring! Christ is the guardian of our souls, how blessed are we! Amen, Alleluia!

Gospel: John 10: 1-10

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” (3-5)

Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, for being our one true shepherd and guarding us always! Permit us to remain in your presence all the days of our lives. As the psalmist exclaims “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—

they comfort me.” (Ps 23:4) The times may be tough but we must remember that it is the Lord’s rod that comforts us!

In Jesus’ name, Amen! Alleluia!

Sunday Homily – 23 April 2023

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Third Sunday of Easter

Also Read: Mass Readings for 23 April 2023 Mass Reading Reflection for 23 April 2023

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

Be happy! You have a God willing to walk the extra mile with you! In fact, He walks not just one mile, but He walks with us through all our miles. Yes, we have reasons to be happy. We have reasons to be grateful.

What we just read is more than an episode from the Bible, it is a guarantee that we have a God unwilling to give up easily. He willingly steps in when we are down and is ready to give up.

The two disciples gave up on Jesus. They were walking away from Jerusalem. They were walking away from Jesus. They were trying to escape even from the memories of Jesus. But Jesus did not give up on them. Because they were so dear to Him.

It is a warning too, never ever give up on Jesus. It is a bad bet. Letting down someone who never wants to let you down is such a betrayal. Who else is willing to walk with you for so long? He is not just walking with us, but as the disciples told us, He is setting our hearts on fire. Never let the fire go off. Always keep the fire strong, and share the fire with others as they did. They did not wait till morning to return to Jerusalem. They left Jerusalem with total darkness in their hearts. But they returned with hearts set on fire by Jesus. It did not matter that the road was dark and unsafe to travel. The fire was so compelling that they had to return to Jerusalem immediately and share the fire with the rest of their friends.

Evangelization is nothing but sharing of the flame within. If you don’t share the gospel, it just means you haven’t let Jesus set you on fire. You are yet to let Jesus work within you. Joy shared is joy doubled. If you have the joy of resurrection keep sharing it. Evangelization is the sharing of the joy of resurrection. Start and continue sharing the joy of the resurrection with your close relatives to the large circle of family, friends, and colleagues.

Jesus walking with the disciples is a lesson for all of us.

Don’t give up on your beloved ones. Don’t give up on your family for any reason. Don’t give up even if they give up on you. Give them a second chance. If needed give them more chances as Jesus did. Jesus teaches us with His own example. Even when the disciples gave up on Him, he went after them time and again. Let the forgiving Jesus be our permanent role model in our relationships.

Let Jesus set your hearts on fire once again!

Amen.

Sunday Reflection – 23 April 2023

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Third Sunday of Easter

Also Read: Mass Readings for 23 April 2023 Homily for 23 April 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Acts 2: 14, 22-33

But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. (24)

St. Peter is addressing the people gathered here on Pentecost. As part of his sermon, he quotes scripture and testifies about Jesus Christ!

Amen, Alleluia !!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 16: 1-2, 5, 7-11

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (11)

Second Reading: First Peter 1: 17-21

If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold. (17-18)

We know that we are in the time of our exile now and St. Peter is reminding us that we ought to live in “reverent fear”! Christ Jesus taught us to call God “Our Father” (Mt. 6:9); but do we live in that reality? We must re-focus our attention to the fact that just like Christ is in us through his Spirit and the Holy Eucharist; God Our Father too is close to us! Having been ransomed by the most precious blood of God’s Only Son, we must turn our hearts to imperishable things that will lead us to life. Our works and words must align in accordance to the redeemed life, we are called to live. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. (29)

Until then their eyes were kept from recognizing him! Had they not urged him to stay with them that evening, they would have missed a great encounter. But it seems that the disciples on the Emmaus road were kind souls with a generous disposition. Had they not shown any concern towards a stranger that night, they would have missed the Lord!

I wonder how often we miss the Lord through our lack of attention and concern! We ask the Lord to permit us to recognize him in any situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Divine Mercy Sunday Homily – 16 April 2023

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Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday

Also Read: Mass Readings for 16 April 2023 Mass Reading Reflection for 16 April 2023

Gospel: John 20: 19-31

Starting with Peter, the most compelling preachers of Jesus were doubtful initially. When Peter was told of the resurrection, his reaction was not, ‘Oh I knew it would happen, for Jesus had told of His death and subsequent resurrection many times when we were with Him.’ Instead, he ran to the empty tomb in total disbelief. But he was given multiple compelling visions of the resurrected Jesus. He was forgiven of his denying Jesus on a fateful night. Finally, he embarked on leading the preaching apostles and disciples from the day of Pentecost. He was undeterred by the opposition he faced even to his final moment on the cross upside down. It was never an easy journey, but he cared little. Resurrected Jesus mattered to him the most.

Even when ten of his companions vouched that Jesus is alive again, Thomas was adamant to see and touch Him to believe in the resurrection. He was granted his wish to touch and feel the resurrected Jesus. He reciprocated the special privilege by going the farthest from among the apostles, up to India, to proclaim the resurrected Jesus. He never looked back as Jesus mattered the most to him.

Saul was sure to the core that resurrected Jesus was a fairytale and sense had to be restored even if it meant killing a few of the proponents. But Jesus intervened and his travel to Damascus got aborted, he ended up being the most vociferous preacher of resurrected Jesus. He was preaching restlessly of the resurrected Jesus traveling back and forth until his martyrdom. He penned the first and most of the books of the New Testament. Saul became St. Paul. Nothing mattered to him except Jesus.

Down the line, many who tasted the Divine Mercy followed suit. They did not care about their safety, comfort, and well-being. Some of them are called saints, martyrs, and doctors of the church. They exchanged everything for Christ because everything else mattered little to them.

On the Sunday of The Divine Mercy, all of them are remembered gratefully for the way they have responded to the Divine Mercy they received. They did not sleep over the mercy they have received. They went ahead distributing the mercy they have received. That is the reason for us being Christians. That is why we have heard of Jesus Christ who sacrificed His life on the cross to grant us forgiveness and redemption.

The Divine Mercy made them proactive. The Divine Mercy cannot be contained, it keeps flowing. This Sunday calls us to be channels of the Divine Mercy. Draw from the rich fountain of the Divine Mercy. Avail for yourself forgiveness, peace, and love flowing from the Divine fountain without measure, and keep it flowing to everyone you happen to meet. It is given without measure, give it without measure.

Let us channel peace and mercy into our homes, communities, and parishes. Let us channel them to our streets, markets, and governance. Channel them to our schools, colleges, hospitals, and hospices.  This Sunday Jesus is calling us to be His deputies wherever peace, love, and mercy are needed the most. He is looking forward to us just as He trusted Peter, Thomas, Paul, and the rest of them to be channels of the Divine Mercy. None of us have gone through the kind of experience they had. Faith in the resurrected Jesus was given as patrimony for most of us. We have, thus, received more mercy. We can be effective channels of Divine Mercy just like them.

It is our privilege to receive the Divine Mercy, every day in our lives. It is our sacred duty to channel the Divine Mercy to others every day. Resurrected Jesus repeatedly blesses all of us, ‘Peace be with you’.

Amen.

Divine Mercy Sunday Reflection – 16 April 2023

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Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday

Also Read: Mass Readings for 16 April 2023 Homily for 16 April 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Acts 2: 42-47

 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. (46 – 47)

The humble beginning of the Church is described in the reading today – the central theme being community living! The church was built from a close-knit unit!

Let us reignite harmony within the Church and build each other up. We should recommit ourselves to our parish physical get-togethers/meetings, now that the restrictions have been lifted in most places! Praise God!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24

The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. (14)

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (24)

Alleluia!

Second Reading: First Peter 1: 3-9

Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (8-9)

In his first encyclical, our first Pope St. Peter encourages us to persevere in faith (though we have not seen Christ on earth as he did)! What a great testimony St. Peter bears to Christ, having lived with him and witnessed first-hand the marvelous deeds of the Lord! He lived the faith, walked in faith with Christ while on earth, and died too for Christ!

Let us take courage from St. Peter’s words, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Gospel: John 20: 19-31

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. (30 – 31)

Why did God need to keep proving himself again and again, humbling himself again and again? He humbled himself firstly to come down and be born a human! He lived and died, humbly! He went to the dead, humbly (but he redeemed the lost there)! He rose from the dead; his heavenly and glorious body couldn’t be contained in the sealed tomb! He appeared first to the women, then kept appearing over again to his disciples! Why does a God so powerful need to go through all this humility? He didn’t need to! He could speak a word and accomplish anything! We proud humans will not be able to comprehend God’s ways -because his ways are not our ways! (Isaiah 55:8)

Being God, HE doesn’t possess an iota of pride! He abhors the proud! (James 4:6) Through His humility, He conquered the root of the first sin – pride!

Let us humbly conquer our weaknesses. Let us humbly conquer the hearts of disbelievers! God himself has shown us, that only Humility conquers!

Mother Mary, intercede for us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Sunday Homily – 09 April 2023

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Easter Sunday, The resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Also Read: Mass Readings for 09 April 2023 Mass Reading Reflection for 09 April 2023

Gospel: John 20: 1-9 or Matthew 28: 1-10 

The tomb is supposed to be the final confinement no man can escape. But tonight, we contemplate an empty tomb. Through the empty tomb, Jesus tells us that we are not destined to end in the tomb.

When one is dead, the relatives and friends carry the body to the tomb. But many send their souls and minds to the tomb ahead of their funeral. Many walk around with their bodies, but they have happily buried themselves in one or another tomb. This Easter asks us to come out of the grave and live with Jesus! Come out of the grave you have created for yourself. Come out of the grave someone else has made for you.

Come out of your grave and live a free life. Because it is Jesus who has set you free, it is Jesus who is inviting you out of your grave!

Jesus has set you free from the chains of sins, using His blood shed on the Cross. Now live free, never again going back to the tombs of sin.

Break your chains and remove the heavy stone of pride that has confined you. Jesus is inviting you to a new life, a free and light life.

Jesus has set you free from the bondage of hatred. Now live free of hatred. Because when you hate someone, you let yourself be under the bondage of hate. Live a life filled with love to the brim.

Be free and celebrate the victory of everyone you know; because if you are uncomfortable with the victory of anyone, you are under the chains of jealousy.

Break the chains of greed and celebrate Easter; because Jesus has assured us that we have a Father in Heaven taking care of our needs.

If you have happily buried yourself in the tomb of lust, Jesus invites you to come out and live a committed life with your spouse, blessed and received at the altar.

If you are lying in the tomb of laziness, with chains of social media firmly in place, Jesus is standing in front of you calling, as He called Lazar, to come out and joyfully live a responsible life.

Be graceful and grateful at your table. Enjoy what is set for you, never forgetting that you eat to live and share! Take care not to return to the tomb of the glutton, if you were confined to it. Jesus has set you free today.

Jesus has set us a model by coming out of His tomb. He is our ultimate model and possibility. If He could come out of His tomb, we too can. He is our guarantee. Once again scan your life. See if you have buried yourself in one or another tomb. If you are in one, come out of it. There is no better day to come out of your grave than this Easter day.  Jesus is calling you out and waiting for you with a welcome smile.

Amen.

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