This week's readings Holy Week, Mar. 31-Apr. 6 Easter Sunday, March 31, 2002 Reading I: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Reading II: Colossians3:1-4 or     1Corinthians 5:6b-8 Gospel: John 20:1-9 Monday, April 1, 2002 Reading I: Acts 2:14, 22-33 Gospel: Mt 28:8-15 Tuesday, April 2, 2002 Reading I: Acts 2:36-41 Gospel: Jn 20:11-18 Wednesday, April 3, 2002 Reading I: Acts 3:1-10 Gospel: Lk 24:13-35 Thursday, April 4, 2002 Reading I: Acts 3:11-26 Gospel: Lk 24:35-48 Friday, April 5, 2002 Reading I: Acts 4:1-12 Gospel: Jn 21:1-14 Saturday, April 6, 2002 Reading I: Acts 4:13-21 Gospel: Mk 16:9-15 Pope's Prayer Intentions April General Intention That family life may be central to world society: That even amidst the world's unsettled ways, the family may be seen as crucial in its vocation as a cradle of life and school of faith and right values. April Mission Intention Finding courage and strength from the martyrs of our time to proclaim the Gospel: That the heroic martyrs of our time may hearten our ecclesial communities to courageously announce Jesus Christ the Redeemer of humankind.

God raised him:

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

"The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ, a faith be-lieved and lived as the central truth by the first Christian community; handed on as fundamental by Tradition; established by the documents of the New Testament; and preached as an essential part of the Paschal mystery along with the cross." (CCC 638)

"We, too, have been chosen by the Lord to proclaim to the world that Christ is risen!"

These words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church put in a nutshell the centrality of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus for the Christian community, the Church. We recognize that all which Jesus said and did is vindicated by his power over death.

The tomb could not hold him; nor can it hold us who are his followers.

In Acts, Saint Peter almost breathlessly relates what happened, and in doing so sums up the ministry of Jesus. Beginning with John's baptism, Peter tells of Jesus that he was the one anointed with the Holy Spirit and power.

"He went about doing good and healing," Peter tells us. "We are witnesses of all that he did."

Readings for Easter Sunday (March 31) Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Colossians 3:1-4 or 1Corinthians 5:6b-8 John 20: 1-9

Then the most solemn moment: "They put him to death by hanging him on a tree." Remember, this is the Peter who failed to defend Jesus, who ran off at the first sign of trouble and even denied him at the hour of his greatest need. Yet Peter does not despair in his sin, but has been forgiven and takes up his place as first among the Apostles.

"This man God raised on the third day," Peter proclaims. In a few sentences he has given the kernel of the Christian faith -- and then the mission of the Church: "He commissioned us" -- his witnesses -- "to preach to the people and testify . . . that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."

Peter should know. His own sin of denying Jesus has been forgiven. He has been washed clean and at last prepared by his own tears and suffering for the plan God has in mind for him, to lead the Church which Jesus founded in his own blood and Paschal sacrifice.

Saint Paul, writing to the Colossians, gives his teaching on what this will mean for us. "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." We have died to our old life of sin, Paul is saying, through the power of baptism, and we are in Christ.

Paul then reminds us that we who are Jesus' followers have a great reward awaiting us, for our sins have been forgiven: "When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory."

The early Christian community believed this, soon after the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus! That central, "crowning truth of our faith in Christ" is not one made up by the disciples who didn't "know where they put him." They know that God has raised Jesus from the dead, even though at first they didn't understand.

Mary Magdalene saw the empty tomb, and brought Peter and John to it. The others came gradually, and wondered what it meant. Jesus eventually revealed himself to those chosen to be his witnesses, to those "who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead."

Such are we, also his witnesses. We have eaten his body, the bread of life. We have tasted the cup of his blood, our eternal blessing. We have seen him suffer on the cross. We, too, have been chosen by the Lord to proclaim to the world that Christ is risen!

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.