Easter Sunday - the Day that Transformed the World

Julie South [00:00:05]:
Welcome to your Catholic Corner. I'm your show host, Julie south. Your catholic corner helps Catholic spiritually prepare for each Sunday's mass starting midweek each week. You can listen to your Catholic corner@yourcatholiccorner.com today we are in catholic speak. We're in the first Sunday of Easter in year B, and we're uncovering more biblical gems hidden in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul's letter to the Colossians, and John's Gospel. The format for today's show is a question and answer with a listener question of the week. We'll look at the possible connections between the three Bible passages being read at this upcoming Sunday's mass so we can better understand why they might have been selected to be read together.

Julie South [00:01:04]:
We'll read those passages together, and then I'll share my reflections on what God is saying to me and how I understood God's personal nudge to me. Remember when two or more are present when we're gathered in Jesus'name like we are right now with you and me, he is here with us today. We're reading from the Acts of the Apostles, chapter ten, verses 34 and then 37 through 43 Paul's letter to the Colossians, chapter three, verses one to four, and John's Gospel, chapter 20, verses one through nine. But before that, a quick word about your catholic corner, just in case this is your first time here. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, whether you've only just heard of that man called Jesus, you're new to Catholicism or you're a cradle Catholic, my prayer is that your catholic corner will help bring God's word to life in your heart through insights, reflections, and practical applications that help deepen your relationship with God. Every Thursday we'll start preparing for mass by uncovering the richness hidden in each Sunday's Bible readings, from Old Testament prophecies to gospel parables. I invite you to join me and the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton, New Zealand, sponsors of your catholic corner so that together we can hear God's word and echo Samuel, speak, Lord, your servant is listening. Now let's get back to today's show.

Julie South [00:03:00]:
This week's listener question of the week why do churches have red lights at the front? Firstly, although the question asked about the red light at the front of the church, sometimes this light isn't always at the front. It is red, though. In fact, sometimes you may have to hunt around to see it because it's not where you expect it at the front of the church. The red lamp is actually called a sanctuary lamp, and it's kept burning to show that Jesus is present in the Holy Eucharist, which is kept in the tabernacle. This light is to remind us that Jesus is always with us everywhere, especially when we're in church. Traditionally, it's kept alit at all times, and it shows our continuous respect for Jesus being truly present in the Eucharist. The red represents his love for us and his sacrifice on the cross for us. It's also a reminder for us to be reverent in our prayers.

Julie South [00:04:16]:
There are times, though, during the year when the lamp or the light may be put out, temporarily put out briefly. On holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil service, the light is traditionally turned off or extinguished before the Easter fire is lit, and this symbolizes Jesus's death. Depending on how the light is powered in each parish building, it is then relit from the Easter fire, or it can be relit from the Easter fire or switched back on again. Either way, it's representative of Jesus's death and the him defeating darkness by rising again in some parishes, although I've never actually seen it happen myself or I've never noticed it, if it does happen, this lamp may be extinguished when the Eucharist is taken out and given at communion. At mass, when the doors of the tabernacle are left open because Jesus isn't present in the tabernacle, the red light may be turned out or turned off. Like I said, I've never seen this happen myself. When the light is extinguished at this time, it's showing that the consecrated hosts are being shared. After communion, the lamp is relit, signifying that Jesus is still present in the remaining Eucharist in the tabernacle.

Julie South [00:05:47]:
Different catholic churches have varying customs about when to light and extinguish the sanctuary lamp. I'm not sure about you, but I really struggle over Easter when the sanctuary lamp is south, when there's no red light at the church. For me, it feels like something is definitely not right. It feels like something is missing, which is correct, because something is missing. Jesus is missing. The light is not there. We're in darkness at that time. When I visit a different parish, a new parish, one of the first things that I always do is look around when I walk in into the building to find out where the tabernacle is, and then I'm looking for the sanctuary lamp.

Julie South [00:06:37]:
I'm looking for the red light and the tabernacle, because then I know where Jesus is when I cross myself with holy water from the front of the church. Usually. Sometimes that water is further down into the church. As I walk into the church, it's in the direction of the tabernacle because I've looked to see where that red light is, and that is where I face when I cross myself because that is where Jesus is. I hope that's helped answer that question. Remember, I'm only too happy to answer any questions or to attempt to answer any questions you might have about becoming catholic or why Catholics do why us Catholic do what we do. You can send me your questions to yourcatholiccorner.com contact. I'm only too happy to answer.

Julie South [00:07:34]:
Thank your this coming Sunday, Easter Sunday, we are reading from acts, chapter ten, verses 34, and then 37 through 33, colossians chapter three, verses one through four, and John's Gospel, chapter 20, verses one through nine. During Easter, which we're in right now. Have you noticed the Old Testament readings aren't typically read? This is something that can be traced back to Saint Augustine of Hippo way back in the fourth century, who based it on earlier practices by Cyril of Jerusalem. Instead of old Testament readings, acts of the apostles are read during this time, and this is so that we can focus on the celebration of the resurrection and look forward to that event in real time. Therefore, because we're in Easter, it makes sense that because we're looking at the connection here, it makes sense that everything at Easter is going to focus on Jesus'resurrection because that's what Easter is all about. And in turn, it's what we as Catholic Christians believe. We believe that Jesus died on the cross, was crucified, died, was buried, and then rose again, just as Jesus said himself that it would happen. The connecting theme, therefore, through Easter, is all about Jesus'resurrection on this first Sunday of Easter.

Julie South [00:09:23]:
Each passage highlights a different aspect of Jesus'resurrection in acts. This passage focuses on Peter's message to the household gathered with Cornelius, a roman centurion. The key theme in acts today or this coming Sunday, Easter Sunday, is the inclusivity of God's salvation to everyone, to all people, regardless of nationality or background, and Peter emphasizes that God shows no partiality and that anyone who fears God and does what's right is acceptable to God. This message challenges previous ideas of exclusivity, and it sets the stage for the expansion of the gospel to the Gentiles in the letter of Paul to the Colossians. In this passage, the focus is on the new life we have in Christ as a result of his resurrection. The theme centers on the believers being raised with Christ, with Jesus and their union with him, our union with him. It encourages us to set our minds on things above where Christ is seated, as we know, at the right hand of God and to put to death earthly desires. The idea is to live a transformed life in light of the knowledge that we've been united with Jesus in his resurrection.

Julie South [00:10:55]:
And then today's passage from John's Gospel. It recounts the discovery of Jesus's empty tomb by Mary Magdalene and the disciples. The theme here is the evidence of the resurrection, which is seen through the empty tomb and the folded burial cloths. We'll look at these metaphors a bit later. It highlights the belief of the disciples that Jesus has risen from the dead even before seeing him. This passage emphasizes the importance of faith in the resurrection and its transformative powers, or transformative power in the lives of believers. Now, with all of that as the backdrop, let's pray together with the three Bible passages for Easter Sunday in year b. The first reading is from acts of the apostles.

Julie South [00:12:04]:
Peter addressed Cornelius and his household. You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judea, about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee. After John had been preaching baptism, God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. And because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I and those with me can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judea and in Jerusalem itself, and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree. Yet three days afterwards, God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen not by the whole people, but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses. We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead.

Julie South [00:13:01]:
And he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness, that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name. The word of the Lord. A reading from Paul's letter to the Colossians. Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is sitting at God's right hand. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are of the earth, because you have died and now the life you have is hidden with Christ and God. But when Christ is revealed and he is your life, your too will be revealed in all your glory with him. The word of the Lord.

Julie South [00:14:24]:
The gospel according to St. John. It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, she said, and we don't know where they have put him. So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first. He bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in.

Julie South [00:15:04]:
Simon Peter, who was following now, came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head. This was not with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. He saw, and he believed till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead. The gospel of the Lord ot saying to you, remember that we each hear God differently depending on what's going on in our lives at the time. What God is saying to me might not be what God is saying to you. So what about you? What was God saying to you? What nudges did you get from him? Let's have a look first at the metaphors. In acts, the metaphor of hanging him on a tree refers to the crucifixion of Jesus in old.

Julie South [00:16:32]:
Obviously, of course, in Old Testament times, being hung on a tree was a metaphor for being cursed. But in the context of the New Testament, it signifies the crucifixion, a method of roman execution. The phrase eating and drinking with him after his resurrection is not a metaphor, but it's a literal claim used to validate the reality of Jesus'resurrection by emphasizing his physical presence. And then in Colossians, we have the passage that's rich with metaphors that describe spiritual realities using earthly concepts. We have being brought back true life with Christ, and that refers to spiritual resurrection and renewal. The instruction to look for things that are in heaven uses the metaphor of physical direction, inviting us to look up, to represent the spiritual act of focusing on divine and eternal values rather than focusing on earthly concerns. The phrase the life you have is hidden with Christ, and God uses the metaphor of being hidden to describe the security and the invisibility of the believer's life. Our lives, yours and mine, which is safeguarded by and with Christ and God, and lastly revealed in all your glory with him speaks of the future transformation and manifestation of us with Jesus when your time also comes.

Julie South [00:18:22]:
And then in John's gospel. In this passage, the metaphorical language is quite subtle. The narrative primarily provides an account of events. However, let's have a go at being a little bit creative here. We could read that the empty tomb serves as a metaphor for new beginnings. Our beginnings we were empty, but now we are filled. The resurrection as a metaphor for victory, of death and sin, of life over death and sin. And then we have the linen cloths lying there could symbolize the old life that Jesus left behind.

Julie South [00:19:06]:
The specific detail, the specific mention that the burial cloth, the headcloth for Jesus's head was rolled up separately, that could symbolically indicate that Jesus's departure from the tomb was orderly and not hasty or chaotic as would be expected if someone actually stole the body. In these passages, metaphors are used to convey spiritual truths and the fulfillment of both Old Testament and Jesus'prediction statements. Through tangible, relatable imagery, we can imagine the cloths. They help bridge the gap between the physical world experienced by us, the readers, and those that were present at the time, and the spiritual realities that are central to your christian faith. And from all of these, the biggest takeaway, the biggest nudge I got from God was around the empty tomb. What about you? For me, even when, as I read that the empty tomb, even when it feels like there's no hope that there is, even when I feel like everything is empty, it's not that. Even when times are dark, imagine how they must have felt, those disciples. Imagine discovering the empty tomb, what had happened to Jesus.

Julie South [00:20:38]:
They must have been wondering that even in those dark times, Jesus is still there, even when we can't see him. And this nudges me. This reminds me that I need to look beyond the obvious, the emptiness, the things I can't see and see him in my life, and to see his hand at work in my life. What was God saying to you? I hope you found all of this interesting and helpful. I hope that this podcast helps you prepare and maybe even understand, just a teeny, tiny, incy wincy, dinky bit better, the wonderful word of God and the catholic faith. Thank you for spending the last half an hour or so of your life with God and me. I pray that each of these Bible passages has been able to make the difference God wishes for you in their own way in your life. Thank you for getting this far.

Julie South [00:21:55]:
Can I ask you to do God and me a huge favor. Please if you enjoyed today's show, can you please help me spread God's word about your catholic corner? All you have to do is tell three of your friends and family about this podcast so that they can hopefully benefit as well. Letting them know is really easy. Just invite them to visit yourcatholiccorner.com where they can subscribe and follow the show from there. Thank you so much. It's free. It doesn't cost anything. Wherever you are, I pray that God's glass of love overflows in your heart and your life and that when you're ready, you're able to accept God's invitation to join him to share in holy Communion at your local Catholic parish.

Julie South [00:22:47]:
And finally, I'd like to say thank you to the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton, Godzone, New Zealand, who helped me bring this podcast to you today. This is Julie south signing off until next week. Peace be with you. God bless.