Rejoice!

"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
(1 Peter 2:4-9)  The smell of lilies, candle wax, an incense replaces all of the drab Lenten trappings. This really is a day of transformation and celebration.  Forgetting the folks who come out once or twice a year, it is overwhelming to see people who come into the Church, experience the most joyful celebration of the year.  And even more so, as a priest, knowing some of the confessions over the last few weeks were honest, sincere, decisions for conversion; what a wonderful celebration this must be for them today.

Last night listening to the Genesis reading I was struck again and again by the authors descriptions, that God found this very good.  It cannot be emphasized enough that God sees creation as good and lovable.  Sin and Evil warp that goodness, but cannot destroy it.  God continues to love and care for us.  God's mercy reached into human history countless times to draw us out of darkness.  The Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ continues to be God's great 'Amen' response to creation.  Sin and evil removes us from God, God does not push us away. 

Those who experience that first resurrection are commanded and empowered to go out to their brothers and sisters and declare the 'Good News'  There is not doubt, two thousand years ago, and today, that proclaiming and sharing faith is risky business.  St. John begins his Gospel with the truth that Jesus came to reveal his light to the nations, yet men and women seemed to prefer the darkness over the light of truth. 

What the resurrection pronounces must be shared with the world.  Our faith calls for our own personal conversion and discipleship and for the transformation of the world.  Violence, oppression, greed, and war, are not options in the Kingdom of God.  We live as a chosen people living the Gospel of life.

We are loved and renewed by a God who leaves a hundred dollars untended, to search for a penny.  Who walks away from ninety-nine sheep to search for a lost one.  Through the Paschal Mystery we share in a divine dignity and holiness the cannot be touched.  We respond to that truth with love, care, and respect.  We are God's son and daughters in whom the Father is well pleased.  There is nothing greater than that.