∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Sing with all the Saints in glory. ∫
∫ Sing the resurrection song. ∫
∫ Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, ∫
∫ To the former days belong. ∫
∫ All around the clouds are breaking, ∫
∫ Soon the storms of time shall cease; ∫
∫ In God’s lightless we awaken, knowing everlasting peace. ∫
∫ O what glory, far exceeding, ∫
∫ all that eye has yet perceived! ∫
∫ Holiest hearts, for ages pleading, ∫
∫ Never that full joy conceived. ∫
∫ God has promised Christ prepares it, ∫
∫ There on high our welcome waits. ∫
∫ Every humble spirit shares it; ∫
∫ Christ has passed eternal gates. ∫
∫ Life eternal! ∫
∫ O, what wonder’s crowd on faith; ∫
∫ What joy unknown, ∫
∫ When, amid earth’s closing thunders, ∫
∫ Saints shall stand before the throne! ∫
∫ Oh, to enter that bright portal, ∫
∫ see that glowing firmament, ∫
∫ Know, with you, O God immortal, ∫
∫ Jesus Christ, whom you have sent! ∫

In the name of the Father,
and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.

-Amen.

Peace be with you.

-And with your spirit.

Those indeed are the very first words
of Jesus, the risen Lord
that he gives to us today.

Happy Easter to you all.

-Happy Easter.

And as we come to celebrate this great day,
which was a turning point in the history of humanity,
we’re open to the power of God’s grace
that gave Jesus new life in the Resurrection
to come to each one of us and to look for ways
in which that grace is at work
in our hearts and our lives.

So let us begin, first of all, by knowing that God’s grace
comes in the forgiveness of our sins,
of reconciling us to each other and to our God.
And be confident of his mercy.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ Lord have mercy. ∫
∫ Lord have mercy. ∫
∫ Christ have mercy. ∫
∫ Christ have mercy. ∫
∫ Lord have mercy. ∫
∫ Lord have mercy. ∫

May Almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us all of our sins,
and bring us to life everlasting.

-Amen.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ We praise you. ∫
∫ We bless you. ∫
∫ We adore you. ∫
∫ We glorify you. ∫
∫ We give you thanks for your great glory. ∫
∫ Lord God, Heavenly King, O God, Almighty Father. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, ∫
∫ Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ receive our prayer. ∫
∫ You are seated at the right hand of the Father. ∫

∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ For you alone are the Holy One. ∫
∫ You alone are the Lord. ∫
∫ You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, ∫
∫ with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Amen. ∫

Let us pray.

O God, who on this day, through your Only Begotten Son,
have conquered death, and unlocked for us
the path to eternity, grant, we pray,
that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord’s
Resurrection, made through the renewal brought by your Spirit,
rise up in the light of life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.

-Amen.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Peter proceeded to speak and said,
“You know what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.

“He went about doing good and healing all those
oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

We are witnesses to all that he did,
both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.

This man God raised on the third day
and granted that he be visible, not to all the people,
but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance,
who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

He commissioned us to preach to the people

and testify that he is the one appointed by God,
as judge of the living and the dead.
To him, all the Prophets bear witness
that everyone who believes in him
will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ Give praise to the Lord, for he is good; ∫
∫ his mercy endures forever. ∫
∫ Let the house of Israel say, ∫
∫ “His mercy endures forever.” ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds; ∫
∫ his right hand is exalted. ∫
∫ I shall not die, ∫
∫ I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord. ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ The stone that the builders rejected ∫
∫ has become the cornerstone. ∫
∫ By the Lord has this been done, ∫
∫ a marvel in our eyes! ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul
to the Colossians.

Brothers and sisters,
if then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above where Christ is seated
at the right hand of God.

Think of what is above, not what is on earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden
with Christ in God.

When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ Christian people sing your praises ∫
∫ to Jesus Christ our Savior, ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Who for humankind has bled, ∫
∫ now has risen from the dead. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫

∫ Who for us put death to flight, ∫

∫ Rose victorious from the strife. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Mary, tell us, if you may, ∫
∫ Tell what you saw where Jesus lay. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ “Angels standing there all bright, ∫
∫ With winding cloths in Easter light.” ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ We know that Christ is risen indeed. ∫
∫ Be with us, Lord, in our every need. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Christ our past lamb has been sacrificed; ∫
∫ Let us then feast with joy in the Lord. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.
-Glory to you, O Lord.
On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb
early in the morning, while it was still dark.
And she saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved.
And she told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb
and we don’t know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran.
But the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first.
He bent down and he saw the burial cloths there,
but he did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there
and the cloth that had covered his head.
Not with the burial cloths,
but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in.
The one who had arrived at the tomb first.
And he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the scripture
that he had to rise from the dead.
The Gospel of the Lord.
-Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

A blessed Easter to all of you and your families,
especially we want to greet the many people
who are watching this telecast.
Many of them may be living by themselves at home
or in a retirement place, facility, or in the hospital.
We want to be close to all of you
to let you know that the joy of Easter
that’s in our hearts is something
that we want to share with you.
Some years ago, I was really fascinated by a book
written by a priest who was an expert on St. John of the Cross.
His name was Ian Matthew.
And he entitled the book, “The Impact of God.”
And his point in writing the book was that,
while we may not have a direct communication from God,
personally, a vision, some sort of sighting,
or special message,
the fact that we know that God is working in the world
has an impact on our lives and has changed us.
I think that as we look at this gospel text today
and the stories of the resurrection,
we have to really wonder how is it that the church
can celebrate this day in which we say
that Jesus rose from the dead,
that we don’t hear anything about how that took place.
There’s no report of Jesus actually coming out of the tomb.
And yet, that fact of the resurrection
has an impact on us,
has an impact on the disciples that we see here in the gospel.
And so it’s an opportunity for us to take a moment
to reflect on how our faith in the resurrection,
how Jesus rising from the tomb
has had an impact in our life,
or at least should have an impact in our lives.
And the experience of the disciples seems to me
to be an indication for us to search for meaning there.
Notice that the disciples, when they come to the tomb,
they’re the ones who go in.
They’re the ones who come out of the tomb.
Jesus doesn’t come out of the tomb in our sight,
but we hear about them coming out of the tomb.
The stone is rolled back for them as well.
Many years ago, I was a pastor,
I was told of a neighboring parish
where the pastor did something very creative for Lent.
He started off Ash Wednesday in the first Sunday of Lent
by handing out little white pebbles to everybody.
Little stones, sometimes we see this in driveways.
And they have sharp edges,
and they’re not very nice to hold onto.
But he asked everybody to take one,
and he said, “Put it in your pocket, or your purse,
“or even in your shoe during the season of Lent.
“And think about the things in life
“that are burdens to you,
“or maybe that are irritants to you, other people,
“situations, worries that you have,
“burdens that you carry in life
“that make your life so very difficult.
“And pray about those burdens.
“Pray about those blockages in your life.”
And so as Lent went on, people had various experiences.
And then on Palm Sunday, he asked everybody
to bring those stones, those little rocks back,
those little white rocks.
And they all placed them into a receptacle
there in the front of the altar.
And to their surprise, on Easter,
they saw those stones again,
because he took all of those,
and he glued them onto the wooden cross
that was in the sanctuary for all of Lent.
And his point was very simple.
He said, “Leave the stones there,
“because Jesus takes all of the sinfulness,
“the heartache, the disappointment in life,
“the challenge that you have,
“and give it to him.”
That’s what the resurrection is about.
And so part of the impact of the resurrection for us
is to be able to let go of those things
that worry us, that burden us, or maybe that trouble us.
Perhaps maybe when people have thrown stones at us
and we’ve been left hurt.
Or maybe when we have thrown stones at them
by easily gossiping about them,
or saying things about them that’s not true.
Or the blockages that we place in front of everybody
in terms of God’s grace because we too easily judge them.
Those are all stones that have to be rolled away
for us to come out of the tomb.
For us also to be risen as Jesus does.
The second thing we notice is that Mary goes
and brings those disciples of Jesus – Peter and John,
and then eventually all the disciples together.
She’s known by the way as the apostle to the apostles.
She’s the first one who announces the resurrection.
Her main job is not only telling what happened,
which we saw at that tomb rolled away,
but of bringing them together.
That also I think has to be a grace that we look at
as important to lean into in these days.
We have so much division in the world.
We have wars, we have bigotry,
we have polarization in society that tear us apart
and sometimes really invade our own family lives.
We need to see that Jesus’ message of the resurrection,
‘peace be with you,’ should be taken seriously.
That we should really be intentional
about building unity,
about building peace with one another.
One of the things that I truly admire about Mercy Home
is that that’s the kind of culture
that is really developed here among the young people.
Not only does this work here give safety to young people
and opportunity for their education,
but it teaches them how to live in a world
that in fact is made of a great diverse population.
And yet how they can experience the richness of each other
in relationships in order to thrive and flourish
in a world that will easily make sure
that people are not left behind.
It’s very easy to marginalize people
who are different than ourselves.
To feel as though they don’t count, they’re not involved.
That we would not go to them with the words,
‘Peace be with you.’
But today Jesus invites us in being raised from the dead
just as his resurrection brought those disciples together
to make a real commitment intentionally
to bring about peace, to bring about harmony,
reconciliation, forgiveness in our families,
in our neighborhoods, and in our world.
That has to be an impact of the resurrection.
And the final thing that we notice is something
in the Acts of the Apostles.
It’s really quite extraordinary to hear
what Luke the Evangelist writes in the Acts of the Apostles.
He said, not only did was there sighting of Jesus
in the resurrection by the early church,
but they ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
That’s quite a remarkable thing.
But isn’t that what we claim to do in the Eucharist?
We eat and drink with the risen Lord.
That’s why it’s so important for us to celebrate
the Eucharist on every Sunday of the resurrection.
It’s not just to meet some sort of obligation.
Oh, it’s much more important than that.
What it really is about, is it gives us an experience
of being with the risen Lord, but also to foster our faith
that one day we too will be with the Lord.
We will rise from the dead.
We need that kind of hope in our world
where there’s so much discourages that in fact,
death itself will be conquered, not just generally
with Jesus rising from the dead, but for each one of us.
I’ve told this story before and I like to remind people of it
about Father Ryan who was a priest
during the Second World War.
He was a chaplain and he was with a group of Marines
as they were going from one island to another island.
Trying to in some way end the war.
And one day they found themselves on an island
where they knew they were going to be bombarded and shelled
as they went into battle.
And so one of the Marines,
a Catholic boy by the name of Jimmy
who was thinking about going into the seminary after the war,
asked Father Ryan if he could say mass for them
early morning before they went into battle.
And so he got everything ready for Father Ryan.
Father Ryan said the bombing was so, the shelling was so bad
he had to lie down on his stomach when he said mass
for people, for the Marines that were there.
Later on, Father Ryan was called to the front
when the battle had ended.
Many of the Marines were wounded, some killed.
And he came upon one of the Marines who was faced down
and turned him over and there was Jimmy.
Young Jimmy had a gaping wound in his stomach.
He said to Father Ryan, “Am I gonna make it?”
“I don’t think so, Jimmy, it’s pretty bad.
“I think I’m gonna pray now for you.”
And Jimmy said something that Father Ryan
said he’ll never forget.
“Isn’t it something, that just this morning
we received Jesus at mass and now I’m gonna see him?”
That’s what we believe about the resurrection,
about the tie between what we do here
and what we will experience at the end.
So the resurrection of Jesus has to have an impact on us
holding tightly to our desire to eat and drink
with the risen Lord at the Eucharist
whenever we come together.
Because it gives us that hope, that strength
that there will be a time in which like Jimmy said,
we will see him face to face.
So today as we come and celebrate the Eucharist
and we celebrate Easter,
we are to, as the word of God invites us,
look for how the impact of the resurrection affects us.
Does it allow us to have the strength
to roll away the stones that are a hindrance to our growth?
Or as we heard in the reading from Colossians,
to seek the higher things.
Does it allow us as well to promote unity
in the human family and our own families
putting aside the grudges,
the ways in which we’ve been divided?
And does it give us a further love for the Eucharist
to celebrate it in a way that inspires us
to the point that we will never lose hope
because we know that one day we will see this risen Lord
that we have eaten and drink with at this altar.
We will see him face to face.
That surely has to be the impact of God,
the impact of God who brought Jesus back from the dead.

Each Easter we renew our own baptismal vows and promises.
And so I ask you now to stand and respond to these questions.
It’s very simple.
The answers are all the same.
“I do.”
My dear brothers and sisters, through the Paschal Mystery,
we have been buried with Christ in baptism
so that we may walk with him in newness of life.
And so now that our Lenten observance is concluded,
we renew the promises of our holy baptism
by which we once renounced Satan and his works
and promised to serve God in the holy Catholic church.
And so I ask you,
do you renounce sins so as to live in the freedom
of the children of God?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you renounce the lure of evil
so that sin may not have mastery over you?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you renounce Satan, the author, and the prince of sin?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, suffered death and was buried,
rose from the dead,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
[Congregation] I do.
And may Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit
and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins,
keep us by his grace in Christ Jesus our Lord
for eternal life, amen.
[Congregation] Amen.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Springs of water, bless the Lord; ∫
∫ Springs of water, bless the Lord; ∫
∫ Praise and exult him above all forever. ∫
∫ Praise and exult him above all forever. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia. ∫
Prompted by the word of God
and knowing the needs of so many people,
we offer now these prayers and intentions.
Our response to each prayer will be,
‘Lord, hear our prayer.’
We pray for our Holy Father, Pope Leo,
and for all those who minister in the church.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For victims of war, hunger, poverty, and oppression,
that one day they will experience peace,
freedom, and the fullness of life.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For members of the Mercy Home community,
children, coworkers, and benefactors,
may they continue to answer the Lord’s call
to act with justice, to love tenderly,
to serve one another, and to walk humbly with God.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For all those who are seeking the Lord,
may their hearts be filled with comfort, hope,
and the joy of Christ’s resurrection this Easter.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who are sick,
especially those suffering from painful illnesses,
may they experience the Lord’s healing
and the support of good friends
during this challenging time in life.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who have died,
especially our Sunday Mass viewers
who have been called home to God,
may their family and friends be comforted in knowing
that they are now in the eternal kingdom
with our risen Lord.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
And I invite you to keep in mind and pray
for all those young men and women
who serve in our military and our first responders,
that the Lord will keep them safe
and bring them home to their families and loved ones.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
Father, time and again, you have heard us in our needs,
so we are confident that you will gather these prayers
into your providence through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna! ∫
∫ Celebrate this day of days! ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Hush in wonder. ∫
∫ All creation is amazed. ∫
∫ In the desert all surrounding, ∫
∫ See, a spreading tree has grown. ∫
∫ Healing leaves of grace abounding ∫
∫ Bring a taste of love unknown. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Raise your spirits ∫
∫ From the caverns of despair. ∫
∫ Walk with gladness in the morning. ∫
∫ See what love can do and dare. ∫
∫ Drink the wine of resurrection, ∫
∫ Not a servant, but a friend. ∫
∫ Jesus is our strong companion, ∫
∫ Joy and peace shall never end. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Earth and heaven ∫
∫ Nevermore shall be the same. ∫
∫ Break the bread of new creation ∫
∫ Where the world is still in pain. ∫
∫ Tell it’s grim, demonic chorus: ∫
∫ “Christ is risen! Get you gone!” ∫
∫ God the first and last is with us. ∫
∫ Sing Hosanna everyone! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
Pray my sisters and brothers that my sacrifice and yours
will be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good and the good of all his holy church.
Exultant with Paschal gladness, O Lord,
we offer this sacrifice by which your church
is wondrously reborn and nourished.
Through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.
The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
-We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
-It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation
at all times to acclaim you, O Lord,
but on this day above all, to laud you yet more gloriously,
when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.
Through him, the children of light rise to eternal life.
The halls of the heavenly kingdom are thrown
wide open to the faithful,
for his death is our ransom from death.
And in his rising, life is given to each one of us.
Therefore, overcome with Paschal joy;
every land, every people exalts in your praise
and even the heavenly powers.
With the angelic hosts sing together
the unending hymn of your glory, as they acclaim:
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Holy, holy, holy ∫
∫ Lord God of hosts. ∫
∫ Heaven and earth are full of your glory, ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest. ∫
∫ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest. ∫
You are indeed holy, O Lord,
and all you have created rightly gives you praise.
For through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the power and the working of the Holy Spirit,
you give life to all things and make them holy.
And you never cease to gather a people to yourself
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting,
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.
Therefore, Lord, we humbly implore you by the same spirit,
graciously make holy these gifts
we have brought to you for consecration,
that they may become for us the body and blood of your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.
For on the night he was betrayed,
he himself took bread.
And giving you thanks, he said the blessing.
He broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you, and eat of it.
“For this is my body, which will be given up for you.”
In a similar way, when supper was ended,
he took the chalice.
Once more giving thanks, he said the blessing,
gave the chalice to his disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you, and drink from it.”
For this is the chalice of my blood,
the blood of the new and eternal covenant,
which will be poured out for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of me.
The mystery of faith.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ When we eat this bread and drink this cup, ∫
∫ We proclaim your death, O Lord, ∫
∫ until you come again. ∫
Therefore, Lord, as we celebrate the memorial
of the saving passion of your Son,
his wondrous resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and as we look forward to his second coming,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your church
and recognizing the sacrificial victim
by whose death you will to reconcile us to yourself,
granted we who are nourished
by the body and blood of your Son
and filled with his Holy Spirit
may become one body, one spirit in Christ.
May he make of us an eternal offering to you
so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,
especially with the most blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her spouse,
the blessed apostles, the glorious martyrs,
all the saints on whose constant intercession
in your presence we rely for unfailing help.
May the sacrifice of our reconciliation, we pray, O Lord,
advance the peace and the salvation of all the world.
Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity
your pilgrim church on earth,
with your servant Leo our Pope, me your unworthy servant,
the order of bishops, the clergy,
the entire people that you have gained for your own.
Listen graciously to the prayers of this family
whom you have summoned before you.
In your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself
all your children scattered throughout the world.
To our departed brothers and sisters,
to all who were pleasing to you
at their passing from this life,
give kind admittance to your kingdom.
There we hope to enjoy forever the fullness of your glory
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.
Through him and with him and in him
O God, almighty Father,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours forever and ever.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Amen, amen, amen. ∫
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching,
we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
-For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles,
“Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,”
look not on our sins, but on the faith of your church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will,
who live and reign forever and ever.
-Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
-And with your spirit.
Share that peace with each other.
(indistinct chatter)
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ Grant us peace. ∫
Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
-Lord, I’m not worthy that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ At the table of the world, ∫
∫ Some have plenty, some have none, ∫
∫ At the table of our God, ∫
∫ all are plentifully fed. ∫
∫ Blow among us, spirit of God, ∫
∫ Fill us with your courage and care! ∫
∫ Hurricane and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ At the table of the world, ∫
∫ Some have honor, some have scorn, ∫
∫ At the table of our God, ∫
∫ all are welcomed and acclaimed. ∫
∫ Blow among us, spirit of God, ∫
∫ fill us with your courage and care! ∫
∫ Hurricane and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ Set the table of our God ∫
∫ In the church and in the world, ∫
∫ Till the children, fed and loved, ∫
∫ taste and see that life is good. ∫
∫ Blow among us, spriit of God, ∫
∫ fill us with your courage and care! ∫
∫ Hurricane and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ Hurrican and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ With one voice the angels sing ∫
∫ Songs that make creation ring. ∫
∫ Prophets here and call us too ∫
∫ Live in spirit and in truth. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ God of covenant, divine, ∫
∫ Lead us to the end of time, ∫
∫ Beyond sorrow, beyond fear, ∫
∫ Beyond pride and death and tears. ∫
∫ Word of God, enthroned, ∫
∫ dwell in us forevermore. ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ Hallelujah, peace be with us. ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Now salvation has come ∫
∫ In the New Jerusalem, ∫
∫ Dancers, dance and singers roar; ∫
∫ proclaiming Jesus Christ is Lord! ∫
∫ Word of God, enthroned, ∫
∫ dwell in us forevermore. ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ Hallelujah, peace be with us, ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ The way!. ∫
Let us pray.
Look upon your church, O God,
with unfailing love and favor,
so that renewed by the Paschal Mysteries,
she may come to the glory of the resurrection
through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.
May almighty God bless you through today’s Easter mysteries
and its great solemnity,
and in his compassion defend you
from every assault of sin.
-Amen.
And may he who restores to eternal life
in the resurrection of his only begotten son,
endow you with the prize of immortality.
-Amen.
Now that the days of the Lord’s passion
have drawn to a close,
may you who celebrate the gladness of the Paschal Feast
come with Christ’s help and exulting in spirit
to those feasts that are celebrated in eternal joy.
And may almighty God bless you;
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
-Amen.
The Mass is ended, go in peace.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
Thanks be to God.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
Happy Easter, everyone.
I want to begin by thanking Cardinal Cupich
for that beautiful Easter mass
that he just celebrated for all of us.
We’re really grateful to you, Cardinal.
And I want to wish all of you who are watching the TV mass
a very, very happy and blessed Easter season,
on behalf of all of us here
at Mercy Home for boys and girls.
And I want to thank you for all that you do
to care for our young people
who are entrusted to our care at Mercy Home.
During Easter season,
we receive three wonderful gifts from the Lord.
We always are receiving gifts from the Lord.
But the three I want to focus on very quickly
is that Easter, we receive the Lord’s Easter peace,
a peace that only the Lord can give to us.
It comes from the inside,
a peace and a contentment that we know that we’re loved.
Another gift that we get from the Lord
during the Easter season, but all the time,
is the Lord’s Easter presence.
He’s with us in every moment of life.
He’s found in the scripture,
he’s found in our relationships,
he’s found in the Eucharist.
He is ever present and loving to us.
And the last gift to reflect on,
although there’s so many,
is the Lord’s Easter power through the resurrection.
The ability that he gives to all of us
to make a difference in the world in which we live,
to use his loving power
to be agents of transformation in the world.
Peace and presence and power.
A gift given to all of us this Easter
and all times throughout the year.
God bless you and happy Easter.
The music for the broadcast
of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home
is generously provided by G-I-A Publications Incorporated
and its World Library Publications Division.
∫ …and Spirit blest, Alleluia! ∫

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Sing with all the Saints in glory. ∫
∫ Sing the resurrection song. ∫
∫ Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, ∫
∫ To the former days belong. ∫
∫ All around the clouds are breaking, ∫
∫ Soon the storms of time shall cease; ∫
∫ In God’s lightless we awaken, knowing everlasting peace. ∫
∫ O what glory, far exceeding, ∫
∫ all that eye has yet perceived! ∫
∫ Holiest hearts, for ages pleading, ∫
∫ Never that full joy conceived. ∫
∫ God has promised Christ prepares it, ∫
∫ There on high our welcome waits. ∫
∫ Every humble spirit shares it; ∫
∫ Christ has passed eternal gates. ∫
∫ Life eternal! ∫
∫ O, what wonder’s crowd on faith; ∫
∫ What joy unknown, ∫
∫ When, amid earth’s closing thunders, ∫
∫ Saints shall stand before the throne! ∫
∫ Oh, to enter that bright portal, ∫
∫ see that glowing firmament, ∫
∫ Know, with you, O God immortal, ∫
∫ Jesus Christ, whom you have sent! ∫

In the name of the Father,
and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.

-Amen.

Peace be with you.

-And with your spirit.

Those indeed are the very first words
of Jesus, the risen Lord
that he gives to us today.

Happy Easter to you all.

-Happy Easter.

And as we come to celebrate this great day,
which was a turning point in the history of humanity,
we’re open to the power of God’s grace
that gave Jesus new life in the Resurrection
to come to each one of us and to look for ways
in which that grace is at work
in our hearts and our lives.

So let us begin, first of all, by knowing that God’s grace
comes in the forgiveness of our sins,
of reconciling us to each other and to our God.
And be confident of his mercy.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ Lord have mercy. ∫
∫ Lord have mercy. ∫
∫ Christ have mercy. ∫
∫ Christ have mercy. ∫
∫ Lord have mercy. ∫
∫ Lord have mercy. ∫

May Almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us all of our sins,
and bring us to life everlasting.

-Amen.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ We praise you. ∫
∫ We bless you. ∫
∫ We adore you. ∫
∫ We glorify you. ∫
∫ We give you thanks for your great glory. ∫
∫ Lord God, Heavenly King, O God, Almighty Father. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, ∫
∫ Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ receive our prayer. ∫
∫ You are seated at the right hand of the Father. ∫

∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ For you alone are the Holy One. ∫
∫ You alone are the Lord. ∫
∫ You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, ∫
∫ with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Amen. ∫

Let us pray.

O God, who on this day, through your Only Begotten Son,
have conquered death, and unlocked for us
the path to eternity, grant, we pray,
that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord’s
Resurrection, made through the renewal brought by your Spirit,
rise up in the light of life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.

-Amen.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Peter proceeded to speak and said,
“You know what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.

“He went about doing good and healing all those
oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

We are witnesses to all that he did,
both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.

This man God raised on the third day
and granted that he be visible, not to all the people,
but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance,
who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

He commissioned us to preach to the people

and testify that he is the one appointed by God,
as judge of the living and the dead.
To him, all the Prophets bear witness
that everyone who believes in him
will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ Give praise to the Lord, for he is good; ∫
∫ his mercy endures forever. ∫
∫ Let the house of Israel say, ∫
∫ “His mercy endures forever.” ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds; ∫
∫ his right hand is exalted. ∫
∫ I shall not die, ∫
∫ I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord. ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ The stone that the builders rejected ∫
∫ has become the cornerstone. ∫
∫ By the Lord has this been done, ∫
∫ a marvel in our eyes! ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul
to the Colossians.

Brothers and sisters,
if then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above where Christ is seated
at the right hand of God.

Think of what is above, not what is on earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden
with Christ in God.

When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ Christian people sing your praises ∫
∫ to Jesus Christ our Savior, ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Who for humankind has bled, ∫
∫ now has risen from the dead. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫

∫ Who for us put death to flight, ∫

∫ Rose victorious from the strife. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Mary, tell us, if you may, ∫
∫ Tell what you saw where Jesus lay. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ “Angels standing there all bright, ∫
∫ With winding cloths in Easter light.” ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ We know that Christ is risen indeed. ∫
∫ Be with us, Lord, in our every need. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Christ our past lamb has been sacrificed; ∫
∫ Let us then feast with joy in the Lord. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.
-Glory to you, O Lord.
On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb
early in the morning, while it was still dark.
And she saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved.
And she told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb
and we don’t know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran.
But the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first.
He bent down and he saw the burial cloths there,
but he did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there
and the cloth that had covered his head.
Not with the burial cloths,
but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in.
The one who had arrived at the tomb first.
And he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the scripture
that he had to rise from the dead.
The Gospel of the Lord.
-Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

A blessed Easter to all of you and your families,
especially we want to greet the many people
who are watching this telecast.
Many of them may be living by themselves at home
or in a retirement place, facility, or in the hospital.
We want to be close to all of you
to let you know that the joy of Easter
that’s in our hearts is something
that we want to share with you.
Some years ago, I was really fascinated by a book
written by a priest who was an expert on St. John of the Cross.
His name was Ian Matthew.
And he entitled the book, “The Impact of God.”
And his point in writing the book was that,
while we may not have a direct communication from God,
personally, a vision, some sort of sighting,
or special message,
the fact that we know that God is working in the world
has an impact on our lives and has changed us.
I think that as we look at this gospel text today
and the stories of the resurrection,
we have to really wonder how is it that the church
can celebrate this day in which we say
that Jesus rose from the dead,
that we don’t hear anything about how that took place.
There’s no report of Jesus actually coming out of the tomb.
And yet, that fact of the resurrection
has an impact on us,
has an impact on the disciples that we see here in the gospel.
And so it’s an opportunity for us to take a moment
to reflect on how our faith in the resurrection,
how Jesus rising from the tomb
has had an impact in our life,
or at least should have an impact in our lives.
And the experience of the disciples seems to me
to be an indication for us to search for meaning there.
Notice that the disciples, when they come to the tomb,
they’re the ones who go in.
They’re the ones who come out of the tomb.
Jesus doesn’t come out of the tomb in our sight,
but we hear about them coming out of the tomb.
The stone is rolled back for them as well.
Many years ago, I was a pastor,
I was told of a neighboring parish
where the pastor did something very creative for Lent.
He started off Ash Wednesday in the first Sunday of Lent
by handing out little white pebbles to everybody.
Little stones, sometimes we see this in driveways.
And they have sharp edges,
and they’re not very nice to hold onto.
But he asked everybody to take one,
and he said, “Put it in your pocket, or your purse,
“or even in your shoe during the season of Lent.
“And think about the things in life
“that are burdens to you,
“or maybe that are irritants to you, other people,
“situations, worries that you have,
“burdens that you carry in life
“that make your life so very difficult.
“And pray about those burdens.
“Pray about those blockages in your life.”
And so as Lent went on, people had various experiences.
And then on Palm Sunday, he asked everybody
to bring those stones, those little rocks back,
those little white rocks.
And they all placed them into a receptacle
there in the front of the altar.
And to their surprise, on Easter,
they saw those stones again,
because he took all of those,
and he glued them onto the wooden cross
that was in the sanctuary for all of Lent.
And his point was very simple.
He said, “Leave the stones there,
“because Jesus takes all of the sinfulness,
“the heartache, the disappointment in life,
“the challenge that you have,
“and give it to him.”
That’s what the resurrection is about.
And so part of the impact of the resurrection for us
is to be able to let go of those things
that worry us, that burden us, or maybe that trouble us.
Perhaps maybe when people have thrown stones at us
and we’ve been left hurt.
Or maybe when we have thrown stones at them
by easily gossiping about them,
or saying things about them that’s not true.
Or the blockages that we place in front of everybody
in terms of God’s grace because we too easily judge them.
Those are all stones that have to be rolled away
for us to come out of the tomb.
For us also to be risen as Jesus does.
The second thing we notice is that Mary goes
and brings those disciples of Jesus – Peter and John,
and then eventually all the disciples together.
She’s known by the way as the apostle to the apostles.
She’s the first one who announces the resurrection.
Her main job is not only telling what happened,
which we saw at that tomb rolled away,
but of bringing them together.
That also I think has to be a grace that we look at
as important to lean into in these days.
We have so much division in the world.
We have wars, we have bigotry,
we have polarization in society that tear us apart
and sometimes really invade our own family lives.
We need to see that Jesus’ message of the resurrection,
‘peace be with you,’ should be taken seriously.
That we should really be intentional
about building unity,
about building peace with one another.
One of the things that I truly admire about Mercy Home
is that that’s the kind of culture
that is really developed here among the young people.
Not only does this work here give safety to young people
and opportunity for their education,
but it teaches them how to live in a world
that in fact is made of a great diverse population.
And yet how they can experience the richness of each other
in relationships in order to thrive and flourish
in a world that will easily make sure
that people are not left behind.
It’s very easy to marginalize people
who are different than ourselves.
To feel as though they don’t count, they’re not involved.
That we would not go to them with the words,
‘Peace be with you.’
But today Jesus invites us in being raised from the dead
just as his resurrection brought those disciples together
to make a real commitment intentionally
to bring about peace, to bring about harmony,
reconciliation, forgiveness in our families,
in our neighborhoods, and in our world.
That has to be an impact of the resurrection.
And the final thing that we notice is something
in the Acts of the Apostles.
It’s really quite extraordinary to hear
what Luke the Evangelist writes in the Acts of the Apostles.
He said, not only did was there sighting of Jesus
in the resurrection by the early church,
but they ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
That’s quite a remarkable thing.
But isn’t that what we claim to do in the Eucharist?
We eat and drink with the risen Lord.
That’s why it’s so important for us to celebrate
the Eucharist on every Sunday of the resurrection.
It’s not just to meet some sort of obligation.
Oh, it’s much more important than that.
What it really is about, is it gives us an experience
of being with the risen Lord, but also to foster our faith
that one day we too will be with the Lord.
We will rise from the dead.
We need that kind of hope in our world
where there’s so much discourages that in fact,
death itself will be conquered, not just generally
with Jesus rising from the dead, but for each one of us.
I’ve told this story before and I like to remind people of it
about Father Ryan who was a priest
during the Second World War.
He was a chaplain and he was with a group of Marines
as they were going from one island to another island.
Trying to in some way end the war.
And one day they found themselves on an island
where they knew they were going to be bombarded and shelled
as they went into battle.
And so one of the Marines,
a Catholic boy by the name of Jimmy
who was thinking about going into the seminary after the war,
asked Father Ryan if he could say mass for them
early morning before they went into battle.
And so he got everything ready for Father Ryan.
Father Ryan said the bombing was so, the shelling was so bad
he had to lie down on his stomach when he said mass
for people, for the Marines that were there.
Later on, Father Ryan was called to the front
when the battle had ended.
Many of the Marines were wounded, some killed.
And he came upon one of the Marines who was faced down
and turned him over and there was Jimmy.
Young Jimmy had a gaping wound in his stomach.
He said to Father Ryan, “Am I gonna make it?”
“I don’t think so, Jimmy, it’s pretty bad.
“I think I’m gonna pray now for you.”
And Jimmy said something that Father Ryan
said he’ll never forget.
“Isn’t it something, that just this morning
we received Jesus at mass and now I’m gonna see him?”
That’s what we believe about the resurrection,
about the tie between what we do here
and what we will experience at the end.
So the resurrection of Jesus has to have an impact on us
holding tightly to our desire to eat and drink
with the risen Lord at the Eucharist
whenever we come together.
Because it gives us that hope, that strength
that there will be a time in which like Jimmy said,
we will see him face to face.
So today as we come and celebrate the Eucharist
and we celebrate Easter,
we are to, as the word of God invites us,
look for how the impact of the resurrection affects us.
Does it allow us to have the strength
to roll away the stones that are a hindrance to our growth?
Or as we heard in the reading from Colossians,
to seek the higher things.
Does it allow us as well to promote unity
in the human family and our own families
putting aside the grudges,
the ways in which we’ve been divided?
And does it give us a further love for the Eucharist
to celebrate it in a way that inspires us
to the point that we will never lose hope
because we know that one day we will see this risen Lord
that we have eaten and drink with at this altar.
We will see him face to face.
That surely has to be the impact of God,
the impact of God who brought Jesus back from the dead.

Each Easter we renew our own baptismal vows and promises.
And so I ask you now to stand and respond to these questions.
It’s very simple.
The answers are all the same.
“I do.”
My dear brothers and sisters, through the Paschal Mystery,
we have been buried with Christ in baptism
so that we may walk with him in newness of life.
And so now that our Lenten observance is concluded,
we renew the promises of our holy baptism
by which we once renounced Satan and his works
and promised to serve God in the holy Catholic church.
And so I ask you,
do you renounce sins so as to live in the freedom
of the children of God?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you renounce the lure of evil
so that sin may not have mastery over you?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you renounce Satan, the author, and the prince of sin?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, suffered death and was buried,
rose from the dead,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
[Congregation] I do.
And may Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit
and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins,
keep us by his grace in Christ Jesus our Lord
for eternal life, amen.
[Congregation] Amen.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Springs of water, bless the Lord; ∫
∫ Springs of water, bless the Lord; ∫
∫ Praise and exult him above all forever. ∫
∫ Praise and exult him above all forever. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia. ∫
Prompted by the word of God
and knowing the needs of so many people,
we offer now these prayers and intentions.
Our response to each prayer will be,
‘Lord, hear our prayer.’
We pray for our Holy Father, Pope Leo,
and for all those who minister in the church.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For victims of war, hunger, poverty, and oppression,
that one day they will experience peace,
freedom, and the fullness of life.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For members of the Mercy Home community,
children, coworkers, and benefactors,
may they continue to answer the Lord’s call
to act with justice, to love tenderly,
to serve one another, and to walk humbly with God.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For all those who are seeking the Lord,
may their hearts be filled with comfort, hope,
and the joy of Christ’s resurrection this Easter.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who are sick,
especially those suffering from painful illnesses,
may they experience the Lord’s healing
and the support of good friends
during this challenging time in life.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who have died,
especially our Sunday Mass viewers
who have been called home to God,
may their family and friends be comforted in knowing
that they are now in the eternal kingdom
with our risen Lord.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
And I invite you to keep in mind and pray
for all those young men and women
who serve in our military and our first responders,
that the Lord will keep them safe
and bring them home to their families and loved ones.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
Father, time and again, you have heard us in our needs,
so we are confident that you will gather these prayers
into your providence through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna! ∫
∫ Celebrate this day of days! ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Hush in wonder. ∫
∫ All creation is amazed. ∫
∫ In the desert all surrounding, ∫
∫ See, a spreading tree has grown. ∫
∫ Healing leaves of grace abounding ∫
∫ Bring a taste of love unknown. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Raise your spirits ∫
∫ From the caverns of despair. ∫
∫ Walk with gladness in the morning. ∫
∫ See what love can do and dare. ∫
∫ Drink the wine of resurrection, ∫
∫ Not a servant, but a friend. ∫
∫ Jesus is our strong companion, ∫
∫ Joy and peace shall never end. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Earth and heaven ∫
∫ Nevermore shall be the same. ∫
∫ Break the bread of new creation ∫
∫ Where the world is still in pain. ∫
∫ Tell it’s grim, demonic chorus: ∫
∫ “Christ is risen! Get you gone!” ∫
∫ God the first and last is with us. ∫
∫ Sing Hosanna everyone! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
Pray my sisters and brothers that my sacrifice and yours
will be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good and the good of all his holy church.
Exultant with Paschal gladness, O Lord,
we offer this sacrifice by which your church
is wondrously reborn and nourished.
Through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.
The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
-We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
-It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation
at all times to acclaim you, O Lord,
but on this day above all, to laud you yet more gloriously,
when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.
Through him, the children of light rise to eternal life.
The halls of the heavenly kingdom are thrown
wide open to the faithful,
for his death is our ransom from death.
And in his rising, life is given to each one of us.
Therefore, overcome with Paschal joy;
every land, every people exalts in your praise
and even the heavenly powers.
With the angelic hosts sing together
the unending hymn of your glory, as they acclaim:
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Holy, holy, holy ∫
∫ Lord God of hosts. ∫
∫ Heaven and earth are full of your glory, ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest. ∫
∫ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest. ∫
You are indeed holy, O Lord,
and all you have created rightly gives you praise.
For through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the power and the working of the Holy Spirit,
you give life to all things and make them holy.
And you never cease to gather a people to yourself
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting,
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.
Therefore, Lord, we humbly implore you by the same spirit,
graciously make holy these gifts
we have brought to you for consecration,
that they may become for us the body and blood of your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.
For on the night he was betrayed,
he himself took bread.
And giving you thanks, he said the blessing.
He broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you, and eat of it.
“For this is my body, which will be given up for you.”
In a similar way, when supper was ended,
he took the chalice.
Once more giving thanks, he said the blessing,
gave the chalice to his disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you, and drink from it.”
For this is the chalice of my blood,
the blood of the new and eternal covenant,
which will be poured out for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of me.
The mystery of faith.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ When we eat this bread and drink this cup, ∫
∫ We proclaim your death, O Lord, ∫
∫ until you come again. ∫
Therefore, Lord, as we celebrate the memorial
of the saving passion of your Son,
his wondrous resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and as we look forward to his second coming,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your church
and recognizing the sacrificial victim
by whose death you will to reconcile us to yourself,
granted we who are nourished
by the body and blood of your Son
and filled with his Holy Spirit
may become one body, one spirit in Christ.
May he make of us an eternal offering to you
so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,
especially with the most blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her spouse,
the blessed apostles, the glorious martyrs,
all the saints on whose constant intercession
in your presence we rely for unfailing help.
May the sacrifice of our reconciliation, we pray, O Lord,
advance the peace and the salvation of all the world.
Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity
your pilgrim church on earth,
with your servant Leo our Pope, me your unworthy servant,
the order of bishops, the clergy,
the entire people that you have gained for your own.
Listen graciously to the prayers of this family
whom you have summoned before you.
In your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself
all your children scattered throughout the world.
To our departed brothers and sisters,
to all who were pleasing to you
at their passing from this life,
give kind admittance to your kingdom.
There we hope to enjoy forever the fullness of your glory
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.
Through him and with him and in him
O God, almighty Father,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours forever and ever.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Amen, amen, amen. ∫
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching,
we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
-For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles,
“Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,”
look not on our sins, but on the faith of your church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will,
who live and reign forever and ever.
-Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
-And with your spirit.
Share that peace with each other.
(indistinct chatter)
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ Grant us peace. ∫
Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
-Lord, I’m not worthy that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ At the table of the world, ∫
∫ Some have plenty, some have none, ∫
∫ At the table of our God, ∫
∫ all are plentifully fed. ∫
∫ Blow among us, spirit of God, ∫
∫ Fill us with your courage and care! ∫
∫ Hurricane and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ At the table of the world, ∫
∫ Some have honor, some have scorn, ∫
∫ At the table of our God, ∫
∫ all are welcomed and acclaimed. ∫
∫ Blow among us, spirit of God, ∫
∫ fill us with your courage and care! ∫
∫ Hurricane and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ Set the table of our God ∫
∫ In the church and in the world, ∫
∫ Till the children, fed and loved, ∫
∫ taste and see that life is good. ∫
∫ Blow among us, spriit of God, ∫
∫ fill us with your courage and care! ∫
∫ Hurricane and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ Hurrican and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ With one voice the angels sing ∫
∫ Songs that make creation ring. ∫
∫ Prophets here and call us too ∫
∫ Live in spirit and in truth. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ God of covenant, divine, ∫
∫ Lead us to the end of time, ∫
∫ Beyond sorrow, beyond fear, ∫
∫ Beyond pride and death and tears. ∫
∫ Word of God, enthroned, ∫
∫ dwell in us forevermore. ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ Hallelujah, peace be with us. ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Now salvation has come ∫
∫ In the New Jerusalem, ∫
∫ Dancers, dance and singers roar; ∫
∫ proclaiming Jesus Christ is Lord! ∫
∫ Word of God, enthroned, ∫
∫ dwell in us forevermore. ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ Hallelujah, peace be with us, ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ The way!. ∫
Let us pray.
Look upon your church, O God,
with unfailing love and favor,
so that renewed by the Paschal Mysteries,
she may come to the glory of the resurrection
through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.
May almighty God bless you through today’s Easter mysteries
and its great solemnity,
and in his compassion defend you
from every assault of sin.
-Amen.
And may he who restores to eternal life
in the resurrection of his only begotten son,
endow you with the prize of immortality.
-Amen.
Now that the days of the Lord’s passion
have drawn to a close,
may you who celebrate the gladness of the Paschal Feast
come with Christ’s help and exulting in spirit
to those feasts that are celebrated in eternal joy.
And may almighty God bless you;
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
-Amen.
The Mass is ended, go in peace.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
Thanks be to God.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
Happy Easter, everyone.
I want to begin by thanking Cardinal Cupich
for that beautiful Easter mass
that he just celebrated for all of us.
We’re really grateful to you, Cardinal.
And I want to wish all of you who are watching the TV mass
a very, very happy and blessed Easter season,
on behalf of all of us here
at Mercy Home for boys and girls.
And I want to thank you for all that you do
to care for our young people
who are entrusted to our care at Mercy Home.
During Easter season,
we receive three wonderful gifts from the Lord.
We always are receiving gifts from the Lord.
But the three I want to focus on very quickly
is that Easter, we receive the Lord’s Easter peace,
a peace that only the Lord can give to us.
It comes from the inside,
a peace and a contentment that we know that we’re loved.
Another gift that we get from the Lord
during the Easter season, but all the time,
is the Lord’s Easter presence.
He’s with us in every moment of life.
He’s found in the scripture,
he’s found in our relationships,
he’s found in the Eucharist.
He is ever present and loving to us.
And the last gift to reflect on,
although there’s so many,
is the Lord’s Easter power through the resurrection.
The ability that he gives to all of us
to make a difference in the world in which we live,
to use his loving power
to be agents of transformation in the world.
Peace and presence and power.
A gift given to all of us this Easter
and all times throughout the year.
God bless you and happy Easter.
The music for the broadcast
of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home
is generously provided by G-I-A Publications Incorporated
and its World Library Publications Division.
∫ …and Spirit blest, Alleluia! ∫

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Sing with all the Saints in glory. ∫
∫ Sing the resurrection song. ∫
∫ Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, ∫
∫ To the former days belong. ∫
∫ All around the clouds are breaking, ∫
∫ Soon the storms of time shall cease; ∫
∫ In God’s lightless we awaken, knowing everlasting peace. ∫
∫ O what glory, far exceeding, ∫
∫ all that eye has yet perceived! ∫
∫ Holiest hearts, for ages pleading, ∫
∫ Never that full joy conceived. ∫
∫ God has promised Christ prepares it, ∫
∫ There on high our welcome waits. ∫
∫ Every humble spirit shares it; ∫
∫ Christ has passed eternal gates. ∫
∫ Life eternal! ∫
∫ O, what wonder’s crowd on faith; ∫
∫ What joy unknown, ∫
∫ When, amid earth’s closing thunders, ∫
∫ Saints shall stand before the throne! ∫
∫ Oh, to enter that bright portal, ∫
∫ see that glowing firmament, ∫
∫ Know, with you, O God immortal, ∫
∫ Jesus Christ, whom you have sent! ∫

In the name of the Father,
and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.

-Amen.

Peace be with you.

-And with your spirit.

Those indeed are the very first words
of Jesus, the risen Lord
that he gives to us today.

Happy Easter to you all.

-Happy Easter.

And as we come to celebrate this great day,
which was a turning point in the history of humanity,
we’re open to the power of God’s grace
that gave Jesus new life in the Resurrection
to come to each one of us and to look for ways
in which that grace is at work
in our hearts and our lives.

So let us begin, first of all, by knowing that God’s grace
comes in the forgiveness of our sins,
of reconciling us to each other and to our God.
And be confident of his mercy.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ Lord have mercy. ∫
∫ Lord have mercy. ∫
∫ Christ have mercy. ∫
∫ Christ have mercy. ∫
∫ Lord have mercy. ∫
∫ Lord have mercy. ∫

May Almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us all of our sins,
and bring us to life everlasting.

-Amen.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ We praise you. ∫
∫ We bless you. ∫
∫ We adore you. ∫
∫ We glorify you. ∫
∫ We give you thanks for your great glory. ∫
∫ Lord God, Heavenly King, O God, Almighty Father. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, ∫
∫ Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ receive our prayer. ∫
∫ You are seated at the right hand of the Father. ∫

∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ For you alone are the Holy One. ∫
∫ You alone are the Lord. ∫
∫ You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, ∫
∫ with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Amen. ∫

Let us pray.

O God, who on this day, through your Only Begotten Son,
have conquered death, and unlocked for us
the path to eternity, grant, we pray,
that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord’s
Resurrection, made through the renewal brought by your Spirit,
rise up in the light of life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.

-Amen.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Peter proceeded to speak and said,
“You know what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.

“He went about doing good and healing all those
oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

We are witnesses to all that he did,
both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.

This man God raised on the third day
and granted that he be visible, not to all the people,
but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance,
who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

He commissioned us to preach to the people

and testify that he is the one appointed by God,
as judge of the living and the dead.
To him, all the Prophets bear witness
that everyone who believes in him
will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ Give praise to the Lord, for he is good; ∫
∫ his mercy endures forever. ∫
∫ Let the house of Israel say, ∫
∫ “His mercy endures forever.” ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds; ∫
∫ his right hand is exalted. ∫
∫ I shall not die, ∫
∫ I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord. ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

∫ The stone that the builders rejected ∫
∫ has become the cornerstone. ∫
∫ By the Lord has this been done, ∫
∫ a marvel in our eyes! ∫

∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ This is the day the Lord has made; ∫
∫ let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫
∫ Let us rejoice and be glad. ∫

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul
to the Colossians.

Brothers and sisters,
if then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above where Christ is seated
at the right hand of God.

Think of what is above, not what is on earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden
with Christ in God.

When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫

∫ Christian people sing your praises ∫
∫ to Jesus Christ our Savior, ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Who for humankind has bled, ∫
∫ now has risen from the dead. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫

∫ Who for us put death to flight, ∫

∫ Rose victorious from the strife. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Mary, tell us, if you may, ∫
∫ Tell what you saw where Jesus lay. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ “Angels standing there all bright, ∫
∫ With winding cloths in Easter light.” ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ We know that Christ is risen indeed. ∫
∫ Be with us, Lord, in our every need. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Christ our past lamb has been sacrificed; ∫
∫ Let us then feast with joy in the Lord. ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
∫ Alleluia! ∫
The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.
-Glory to you, O Lord.
On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb
early in the morning, while it was still dark.
And she saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved.
And she told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb
and we don’t know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran.
But the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first.
He bent down and he saw the burial cloths there,
but he did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there
and the cloth that had covered his head.
Not with the burial cloths,
but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in.
The one who had arrived at the tomb first.
And he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the scripture
that he had to rise from the dead.
The Gospel of the Lord.
-Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

A blessed Easter to all of you and your families,
especially we want to greet the many people
who are watching this telecast.
Many of them may be living by themselves at home
or in a retirement place, facility, or in the hospital.
We want to be close to all of you
to let you know that the joy of Easter
that’s in our hearts is something
that we want to share with you.
Some years ago, I was really fascinated by a book
written by a priest who was an expert on St. John of the Cross.
His name was Ian Matthew.
And he entitled the book, “The Impact of God.”
And his point in writing the book was that,
while we may not have a direct communication from God,
personally, a vision, some sort of sighting,
or special message,
the fact that we know that God is working in the world
has an impact on our lives and has changed us.
I think that as we look at this gospel text today
and the stories of the resurrection,
we have to really wonder how is it that the church
can celebrate this day in which we say
that Jesus rose from the dead,
that we don’t hear anything about how that took place.
There’s no report of Jesus actually coming out of the tomb.
And yet, that fact of the resurrection
has an impact on us,
has an impact on the disciples that we see here in the gospel.
And so it’s an opportunity for us to take a moment
to reflect on how our faith in the resurrection,
how Jesus rising from the tomb
has had an impact in our life,
or at least should have an impact in our lives.
And the experience of the disciples seems to me
to be an indication for us to search for meaning there.
Notice that the disciples, when they come to the tomb,
they’re the ones who go in.
They’re the ones who come out of the tomb.
Jesus doesn’t come out of the tomb in our sight,
but we hear about them coming out of the tomb.
The stone is rolled back for them as well.
Many years ago, I was a pastor,
I was told of a neighboring parish
where the pastor did something very creative for Lent.
He started off Ash Wednesday in the first Sunday of Lent
by handing out little white pebbles to everybody.
Little stones, sometimes we see this in driveways.
And they have sharp edges,
and they’re not very nice to hold onto.
But he asked everybody to take one,
and he said, “Put it in your pocket, or your purse,
“or even in your shoe during the season of Lent.
“And think about the things in life
“that are burdens to you,
“or maybe that are irritants to you, other people,
“situations, worries that you have,
“burdens that you carry in life
“that make your life so very difficult.
“And pray about those burdens.
“Pray about those blockages in your life.”
And so as Lent went on, people had various experiences.
And then on Palm Sunday, he asked everybody
to bring those stones, those little rocks back,
those little white rocks.
And they all placed them into a receptacle
there in the front of the altar.
And to their surprise, on Easter,
they saw those stones again,
because he took all of those,
and he glued them onto the wooden cross
that was in the sanctuary for all of Lent.
And his point was very simple.
He said, “Leave the stones there,
“because Jesus takes all of the sinfulness,
“the heartache, the disappointment in life,
“the challenge that you have,
“and give it to him.”
That’s what the resurrection is about.
And so part of the impact of the resurrection for us
is to be able to let go of those things
that worry us, that burden us, or maybe that trouble us.
Perhaps maybe when people have thrown stones at us
and we’ve been left hurt.
Or maybe when we have thrown stones at them
by easily gossiping about them,
or saying things about them that’s not true.
Or the blockages that we place in front of everybody
in terms of God’s grace because we too easily judge them.
Those are all stones that have to be rolled away
for us to come out of the tomb.
For us also to be risen as Jesus does.
The second thing we notice is that Mary goes
and brings those disciples of Jesus – Peter and John,
and then eventually all the disciples together.
She’s known by the way as the apostle to the apostles.
She’s the first one who announces the resurrection.
Her main job is not only telling what happened,
which we saw at that tomb rolled away,
but of bringing them together.
That also I think has to be a grace that we look at
as important to lean into in these days.
We have so much division in the world.
We have wars, we have bigotry,
we have polarization in society that tear us apart
and sometimes really invade our own family lives.
We need to see that Jesus’ message of the resurrection,
‘peace be with you,’ should be taken seriously.
That we should really be intentional
about building unity,
about building peace with one another.
One of the things that I truly admire about Mercy Home
is that that’s the kind of culture
that is really developed here among the young people.
Not only does this work here give safety to young people
and opportunity for their education,
but it teaches them how to live in a world
that in fact is made of a great diverse population.
And yet how they can experience the richness of each other
in relationships in order to thrive and flourish
in a world that will easily make sure
that people are not left behind.
It’s very easy to marginalize people
who are different than ourselves.
To feel as though they don’t count, they’re not involved.
That we would not go to them with the words,
‘Peace be with you.’
But today Jesus invites us in being raised from the dead
just as his resurrection brought those disciples together
to make a real commitment intentionally
to bring about peace, to bring about harmony,
reconciliation, forgiveness in our families,
in our neighborhoods, and in our world.
That has to be an impact of the resurrection.
And the final thing that we notice is something
in the Acts of the Apostles.
It’s really quite extraordinary to hear
what Luke the Evangelist writes in the Acts of the Apostles.
He said, not only did was there sighting of Jesus
in the resurrection by the early church,
but they ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
That’s quite a remarkable thing.
But isn’t that what we claim to do in the Eucharist?
We eat and drink with the risen Lord.
That’s why it’s so important for us to celebrate
the Eucharist on every Sunday of the resurrection.
It’s not just to meet some sort of obligation.
Oh, it’s much more important than that.
What it really is about, is it gives us an experience
of being with the risen Lord, but also to foster our faith
that one day we too will be with the Lord.
We will rise from the dead.
We need that kind of hope in our world
where there’s so much discourages that in fact,
death itself will be conquered, not just generally
with Jesus rising from the dead, but for each one of us.
I’ve told this story before and I like to remind people of it
about Father Ryan who was a priest
during the Second World War.
He was a chaplain and he was with a group of Marines
as they were going from one island to another island.
Trying to in some way end the war.
And one day they found themselves on an island
where they knew they were going to be bombarded and shelled
as they went into battle.
And so one of the Marines,
a Catholic boy by the name of Jimmy
who was thinking about going into the seminary after the war,
asked Father Ryan if he could say mass for them
early morning before they went into battle.
And so he got everything ready for Father Ryan.
Father Ryan said the bombing was so, the shelling was so bad
he had to lie down on his stomach when he said mass
for people, for the Marines that were there.
Later on, Father Ryan was called to the front
when the battle had ended.
Many of the Marines were wounded, some killed.
And he came upon one of the Marines who was faced down
and turned him over and there was Jimmy.
Young Jimmy had a gaping wound in his stomach.
He said to Father Ryan, “Am I gonna make it?”
“I don’t think so, Jimmy, it’s pretty bad.
“I think I’m gonna pray now for you.”
And Jimmy said something that Father Ryan
said he’ll never forget.
“Isn’t it something, that just this morning
we received Jesus at mass and now I’m gonna see him?”
That’s what we believe about the resurrection,
about the tie between what we do here
and what we will experience at the end.
So the resurrection of Jesus has to have an impact on us
holding tightly to our desire to eat and drink
with the risen Lord at the Eucharist
whenever we come together.
Because it gives us that hope, that strength
that there will be a time in which like Jimmy said,
we will see him face to face.
So today as we come and celebrate the Eucharist
and we celebrate Easter,
we are to, as the word of God invites us,
look for how the impact of the resurrection affects us.
Does it allow us to have the strength
to roll away the stones that are a hindrance to our growth?
Or as we heard in the reading from Colossians,
to seek the higher things.
Does it allow us as well to promote unity
in the human family and our own families
putting aside the grudges,
the ways in which we’ve been divided?
And does it give us a further love for the Eucharist
to celebrate it in a way that inspires us
to the point that we will never lose hope
because we know that one day we will see this risen Lord
that we have eaten and drink with at this altar.
We will see him face to face.
That surely has to be the impact of God,
the impact of God who brought Jesus back from the dead.

Each Easter we renew our own baptismal vows and promises.
And so I ask you now to stand and respond to these questions.
It’s very simple.
The answers are all the same.
“I do.”
My dear brothers and sisters, through the Paschal Mystery,
we have been buried with Christ in baptism
so that we may walk with him in newness of life.
And so now that our Lenten observance is concluded,
we renew the promises of our holy baptism
by which we once renounced Satan and his works
and promised to serve God in the holy Catholic church.
And so I ask you,
do you renounce sins so as to live in the freedom
of the children of God?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you renounce the lure of evil
so that sin may not have mastery over you?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you renounce Satan, the author, and the prince of sin?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, suffered death and was buried,
rose from the dead,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
[Congregation] I do.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
[Congregation] I do.
And may Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit
and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins,
keep us by his grace in Christ Jesus our Lord
for eternal life, amen.
[Congregation] Amen.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Springs of water, bless the Lord; ∫
∫ Springs of water, bless the Lord; ∫
∫ Praise and exult him above all forever. ∫
∫ Praise and exult him above all forever. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia. ∫
Prompted by the word of God
and knowing the needs of so many people,
we offer now these prayers and intentions.
Our response to each prayer will be,
‘Lord, hear our prayer.’
We pray for our Holy Father, Pope Leo,
and for all those who minister in the church.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For victims of war, hunger, poverty, and oppression,
that one day they will experience peace,
freedom, and the fullness of life.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For members of the Mercy Home community,
children, coworkers, and benefactors,
may they continue to answer the Lord’s call
to act with justice, to love tenderly,
to serve one another, and to walk humbly with God.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For all those who are seeking the Lord,
may their hearts be filled with comfort, hope,
and the joy of Christ’s resurrection this Easter.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who are sick,
especially those suffering from painful illnesses,
may they experience the Lord’s healing
and the support of good friends
during this challenging time in life.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who have died,
especially our Sunday Mass viewers
who have been called home to God,
may their family and friends be comforted in knowing
that they are now in the eternal kingdom
with our risen Lord.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
And I invite you to keep in mind and pray
for all those young men and women
who serve in our military and our first responders,
that the Lord will keep them safe
and bring them home to their families and loved ones.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
Father, time and again, you have heard us in our needs,
so we are confident that you will gather these prayers
into your providence through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna! ∫
∫ Celebrate this day of days! ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Hush in wonder. ∫
∫ All creation is amazed. ∫
∫ In the desert all surrounding, ∫
∫ See, a spreading tree has grown. ∫
∫ Healing leaves of grace abounding ∫
∫ Bring a taste of love unknown. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Raise your spirits ∫
∫ From the caverns of despair. ∫
∫ Walk with gladness in the morning. ∫
∫ See what love can do and dare. ∫
∫ Drink the wine of resurrection, ∫
∫ Not a servant, but a friend. ∫
∫ Jesus is our strong companion, ∫
∫ Joy and peace shall never end. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Christ is risen! Earth and heaven ∫
∫ Nevermore shall be the same. ∫
∫ Break the bread of new creation ∫
∫ Where the world is still in pain. ∫
∫ Tell it’s grim, demonic chorus: ∫
∫ “Christ is risen! Get you gone!” ∫
∫ God the first and last is with us. ∫
∫ Sing Hosanna everyone! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
Pray my sisters and brothers that my sacrifice and yours
will be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good and the good of all his holy church.
Exultant with Paschal gladness, O Lord,
we offer this sacrifice by which your church
is wondrously reborn and nourished.
Through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.
The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
-We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
-It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation
at all times to acclaim you, O Lord,
but on this day above all, to laud you yet more gloriously,
when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.
Through him, the children of light rise to eternal life.
The halls of the heavenly kingdom are thrown
wide open to the faithful,
for his death is our ransom from death.
And in his rising, life is given to each one of us.
Therefore, overcome with Paschal joy;
every land, every people exalts in your praise
and even the heavenly powers.
With the angelic hosts sing together
the unending hymn of your glory, as they acclaim:
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Holy, holy, holy ∫
∫ Lord God of hosts. ∫
∫ Heaven and earth are full of your glory, ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest. ∫
∫ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest. ∫
You are indeed holy, O Lord,
and all you have created rightly gives you praise.
For through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the power and the working of the Holy Spirit,
you give life to all things and make them holy.
And you never cease to gather a people to yourself
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting,
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.
Therefore, Lord, we humbly implore you by the same spirit,
graciously make holy these gifts
we have brought to you for consecration,
that they may become for us the body and blood of your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.
For on the night he was betrayed,
he himself took bread.
And giving you thanks, he said the blessing.
He broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you, and eat of it.
“For this is my body, which will be given up for you.”
In a similar way, when supper was ended,
he took the chalice.
Once more giving thanks, he said the blessing,
gave the chalice to his disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you, and drink from it.”
For this is the chalice of my blood,
the blood of the new and eternal covenant,
which will be poured out for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of me.
The mystery of faith.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ When we eat this bread and drink this cup, ∫
∫ We proclaim your death, O Lord, ∫
∫ until you come again. ∫
Therefore, Lord, as we celebrate the memorial
of the saving passion of your Son,
his wondrous resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and as we look forward to his second coming,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your church
and recognizing the sacrificial victim
by whose death you will to reconcile us to yourself,
granted we who are nourished
by the body and blood of your Son
and filled with his Holy Spirit
may become one body, one spirit in Christ.
May he make of us an eternal offering to you
so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,
especially with the most blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her spouse,
the blessed apostles, the glorious martyrs,
all the saints on whose constant intercession
in your presence we rely for unfailing help.
May the sacrifice of our reconciliation, we pray, O Lord,
advance the peace and the salvation of all the world.
Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity
your pilgrim church on earth,
with your servant Leo our Pope, me your unworthy servant,
the order of bishops, the clergy,
the entire people that you have gained for your own.
Listen graciously to the prayers of this family
whom you have summoned before you.
In your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself
all your children scattered throughout the world.
To our departed brothers and sisters,
to all who were pleasing to you
at their passing from this life,
give kind admittance to your kingdom.
There we hope to enjoy forever the fullness of your glory
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.
Through him and with him and in him
O God, almighty Father,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours forever and ever.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Amen, amen, amen. ∫
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching,
we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
-For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles,
“Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,”
look not on our sins, but on the faith of your church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will,
who live and reign forever and ever.
-Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
-And with your spirit.
Share that peace with each other.
(indistinct chatter)
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ Grant us peace. ∫
Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
-Lord, I’m not worthy that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ At the table of the world, ∫
∫ Some have plenty, some have none, ∫
∫ At the table of our God, ∫
∫ all are plentifully fed. ∫
∫ Blow among us, spirit of God, ∫
∫ Fill us with your courage and care! ∫
∫ Hurricane and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ At the table of the world, ∫
∫ Some have honor, some have scorn, ∫
∫ At the table of our God, ∫
∫ all are welcomed and acclaimed. ∫
∫ Blow among us, spirit of God, ∫
∫ fill us with your courage and care! ∫
∫ Hurricane and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ Set the table of our God ∫
∫ In the church and in the world, ∫
∫ Till the children, fed and loved, ∫
∫ taste and see that life is good. ∫
∫ Blow among us, spriit of God, ∫
∫ fill us with your courage and care! ∫
∫ Hurricane and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ Hurrican and Breath, ∫
∫ take us on a journey of love! ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ With one voice the angels sing ∫
∫ Songs that make creation ring. ∫
∫ Prophets here and call us too ∫
∫ Live in spirit and in truth. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ God of covenant, divine, ∫
∫ Lead us to the end of time, ∫
∫ Beyond sorrow, beyond fear, ∫
∫ Beyond pride and death and tears. ∫
∫ Word of God, enthroned, ∫
∫ dwell in us forevermore. ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ Hallelujah, peace be with us. ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ Now salvation has come ∫
∫ In the New Jerusalem, ∫
∫ Dancers, dance and singers roar; ∫
∫ proclaiming Jesus Christ is Lord! ∫
∫ Word of God, enthroned, ∫
∫ dwell in us forevermore. ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ Hallelujah, peace be with us, ∫
∫ Love has come to show the way. ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ The way!. ∫
Let us pray.
Look upon your church, O God,
with unfailing love and favor,
so that renewed by the Paschal Mysteries,
she may come to the glory of the resurrection
through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.
May almighty God bless you through today’s Easter mysteries
and its great solemnity,
and in his compassion defend you
from every assault of sin.
-Amen.
And may he who restores to eternal life
in the resurrection of his only begotten son,
endow you with the prize of immortality.
-Amen.
Now that the days of the Lord’s passion
have drawn to a close,
may you who celebrate the gladness of the Paschal Feast
come with Christ’s help and exulting in spirit
to those feasts that are celebrated in eternal joy.
And may almighty God bless you;
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
-Amen.
The Mass is ended, go in peace.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
Thanks be to God.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
∫ [MUSIC PLAYING] ∫
Happy Easter, everyone.
I want to begin by thanking Cardinal Cupich
for that beautiful Easter mass
that he just celebrated for all of us.
We’re really grateful to you, Cardinal.
And I want to wish all of you who are watching the TV mass
a very, very happy and blessed Easter season,
on behalf of all of us here
at Mercy Home for boys and girls.
And I want to thank you for all that you do
to care for our young people
who are entrusted to our care at Mercy Home.
During Easter season,
we receive three wonderful gifts from the Lord.
We always are receiving gifts from the Lord.
But the three I want to focus on very quickly
is that Easter, we receive the Lord’s Easter peace,
a peace that only the Lord can give to us.
It comes from the inside,
a peace and a contentment that we know that we’re loved.
Another gift that we get from the Lord
during the Easter season, but all the time,
is the Lord’s Easter presence.
He’s with us in every moment of life.
He’s found in the scripture,
he’s found in our relationships,
he’s found in the Eucharist.
He is ever present and loving to us.
And the last gift to reflect on,
although there’s so many,
is the Lord’s Easter power through the resurrection.
The ability that he gives to all of us
to make a difference in the world in which we live,
to use his loving power
to be agents of transformation in the world.
Peace and presence and power.
A gift given to all of us this Easter
and all times throughout the year.
God bless you and happy Easter.
The music for the broadcast
of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home
is generously provided by G-I-A Publications Incorporated
and its World Library Publications Division.
∫ …and Spirit blest, Alleluia! ∫

A blessed Easter to all of you and your families,
especially we want to greet the many people
who are watching this telecast.
Many of them may be living by themselves at home
or in a retirement place, facility, or in the hospital.
We want to be close to all of you
to let you know that the joy of Easter
that’s in our hearts is something
that we want to share with you.
Some years ago, I was really fascinated by a book
written by a priest who was an expert on St. John of the Cross.
His name was Ian Matthew.
And he entitled the book, “The Impact of God.”
And his point in writing the book was that,
while we may not have a direct communication from God,
personally, a vision, some sort of sighting,
or special message,
the fact that we know that God is working in the world
has an impact on our lives and has changed us.
I think that as we look at this gospel text today
and the stories of the resurrection,
we have to really wonder how is it that the church
can celebrate this day in which we say
that Jesus rose from the dead,
that we don’t hear anything about how that took place.
There’s no report of Jesus actually coming out of the tomb.
And yet, that fact of the resurrection
has an impact on us,
has an impact on the disciples that we see here in the gospel.
And so it’s an opportunity for us to take a moment
to reflect on how our faith in the resurrection,
how Jesus rising from the tomb
has had an impact in our life,
or at least should have an impact in our lives.
And the experience of the disciples seems to me
to be an indication for us to search for meaning there.
Notice that the disciples, when they come to the tomb,
they’re the ones who go in.
They’re the ones who come out of the tomb.
Jesus doesn’t come out of the tomb in our sight,
but we hear about them coming out of the tomb.
The stone is rolled back for them as well.
Many years ago, I was a pastor,
I was told of a neighboring parish
where the pastor did something very creative for Lent.
He started off Ash Wednesday in the first Sunday of Lent
by handing out little white pebbles to everybody.
Little stones, sometimes we see this in driveways.
And they have sharp edges,
and they’re not very nice to hold onto.
But he asked everybody to take one,
and he said, “Put it in your pocket, or your purse,
“or even in your shoe during the season of Lent.
“And think about the things in life
“that are burdens to you,
“or maybe that are irritants to you, other people,
“situations, worries that you have,
“burdens that you carry in life
“that make your life so very difficult.
“And pray about those burdens.
“Pray about those blockages in your life.”
And so as Lent went on, people had various experiences.
And then on Palm Sunday, he asked everybody
to bring those stones, those little rocks back,
those little white rocks.
And they all placed them into a receptacle
there in the front of the altar.
And to their surprise, on Easter,
they saw those stones again,
because he took all of those,
and he glued them onto the wooden cross
that was in the sanctuary for all of Lent.
And his point was very simple.
He said, “Leave the stones there,
“because Jesus takes all of the sinfulness,
“the heartache, the disappointment in life,
“the challenge that you have,
“and give it to him.”
That’s what the resurrection is about.
And so part of the impact of the resurrection for us
is to be able to let go of those things
that worry us, that burden us, or maybe that trouble us.
Perhaps maybe when people have thrown stones at us
and we’ve been left hurt.
Or maybe when we have thrown stones at them
by easily gossiping about them,
or saying things about them that’s not true.
Or the blockages that we place in front of everybody
in terms of God’s grace because we too easily judge them.
Those are all stones that have to be rolled away
for us to come out of the tomb.
For us also to be risen as Jesus does.
The second thing we notice is that Mary goes
and brings those disciples of Jesus – Peter and John,
and then eventually all the disciples together.
She’s known by the way as the apostle to the apostles.
She’s the first one who announces the resurrection.
Her main job is not only telling what happened,
which we saw at that tomb rolled away,
but of bringing them together.
That also I think has to be a grace that we look at
as important to lean into in these days.
We have so much division in the world.
We have wars, we have bigotry,
we have polarization in society that tear us apart
and sometimes really invade our own family lives.
We need to see that Jesus’ message of the resurrection,
‘peace be with you,’ should be taken seriously.
That we should really be intentional
about building unity,
about building peace with one another.
One of the things that I truly admire about Mercy Home
is that that’s the kind of culture
that is really developed here among the young people.
Not only does this work here give safety to young people
and opportunity for their education,
but it teaches them how to live in a world
that in fact is made of a great diverse population.
And yet how they can experience the richness of each other
in relationships in order to thrive and flourish
in a world that will easily make sure
that people are not left behind.
It’s very easy to marginalize people
who are different than ourselves.
To feel as though they don’t count, they’re not involved.
That we would not go to them with the words,
‘Peace be with you.’
But today Jesus invites us in being raised from the dead
just as his resurrection brought those disciples together
to make a real commitment intentionally
to bring about peace, to bring about harmony,
reconciliation, forgiveness in our families,
in our neighborhoods, and in our world.
That has to be an impact of the resurrection.
And the final thing that we notice is something
in the Acts of the Apostles.
It’s really quite extraordinary to hear
what Luke the Evangelist writes in the Acts of the Apostles.
He said, not only did was there sighting of Jesus
in the resurrection by the early church,
but they ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
That’s quite a remarkable thing.
But isn’t that what we claim to do in the Eucharist?
We eat and drink with the risen Lord.
That’s why it’s so important for us to celebrate
the Eucharist on every Sunday of the resurrection.
It’s not just to meet some sort of obligation.
Oh, it’s much more important than that.
What it really is about, is it gives us an experience
of being with the risen Lord, but also to foster our faith
that one day we too will be with the Lord.
We will rise from the dead.
We need that kind of hope in our world
where there’s so much discourages that in fact,
death itself will be conquered, not just generally
with Jesus rising from the dead, but for each one of us.
I’ve told this story before and I like to remind people of it
about Father Ryan who was a priest
during the Second World War.
He was a chaplain and he was with a group of Marines
as they were going from one island to another island.
Trying to in some way end the war.
And one day they found themselves on an island
where they knew they were going to be bombarded and shelled
as they went into battle.
And so one of the Marines,
a Catholic boy by the name of Jimmy
who was thinking about going into the seminary after the war,
asked Father Ryan if he could say mass for them
early morning before they went into battle.
And so he got everything ready for Father Ryan.
Father Ryan said the bombing was so, the shelling was so bad
he had to lie down on his stomach when he said mass
for people, for the Marines that were there.
Later on, Father Ryan was called to the front
when the battle had ended.
Many of the Marines were wounded, some killed.
And he came upon one of the Marines who was faced down
and turned him over and there was Jimmy.
Young Jimmy had a gaping wound in his stomach.
He said to Father Ryan, “Am I gonna make it?”
“I don’t think so, Jimmy, it’s pretty bad.
“I think I’m gonna pray now for you.”
And Jimmy said something that Father Ryan
said he’ll never forget.
“Isn’t it something, that just this morning
we received Jesus at mass and now I’m gonna see him?”
That’s what we believe about the resurrection,
about the tie between what we do here
and what we will experience at the end.
So the resurrection of Jesus has to have an impact on us
holding tightly to our desire to eat and drink
with the risen Lord at the Eucharist
whenever we come together.
Because it gives us that hope, that strength
that there will be a time in which like Jimmy said,
we will see him face to face.
So today as we come and celebrate the Eucharist
and we celebrate Easter,
we are to, as the word of God invites us,
look for how the impact of the resurrection affects us.
Does it allow us to have the strength
to roll away the stones that are a hindrance to our growth?
Or as we heard in the reading from Colossians,
to seek the higher things.
Does it allow us as well to promote unity
in the human family and our own families
putting aside the grudges,
the ways in which we’ve been divided?
And does it give us a further love for the Eucharist
to celebrate it in a way that inspires us
to the point that we will never lose hope
because we know that one day we will see this risen Lord
that we have eaten and drink with at this altar.
We will see him face to face.
That surely has to be the impact of God,
the impact of God who brought Jesus back from the dead.