“God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness, freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Saviour. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.” -CCC 1
This is the first paragraph from the catechism and I think it perfectly sums up what we celebrate today on this beautiful Easter morning. In today’s first reading we hear the entire Gospel story being preached by Peter. This is the same Peter who denied Jesus three times just a few days before, and who we read about in the Gospel as not fully understanding what Christ was doing until he saw the empty tomb. Peter then knew the plans of God and could easily and succinctly proclaim them to all people.
The goal of the lenten season is to bring us to a point where we can realize that our destiny is to share in the divine life of God. This isn’t just a vague sentimental idea or ambiguous theology, but it is the entire point of our lives. Jesus loved you enough to die on a tree in order that you might receive adoption as his beloved. It seems simple enough, but do we really grasp the depth of the meaning? Easter morning is the good news that not only were you bought back at a price, but that the death of God was not the end. Rather, it was just the beginning. Christ rising from the dead defeated sin and death once and for all and claims us back as adopted children.
This is why Easter is the most important feast in our liturgical calendar. And God wants us to feast. We might be a little rusty after 40 days of fasting, but God wants us to pull out all the stops. I recommend making the nicest dinner you can within your means and celebrate as a family what Christ has done in conquering sin and death. The Easter egg hunts are fun and everybody likes baked ham, but let’s not forget the reason for this season. That God desired for you to be saved and come to share in his divine life. This is enough to make even the worst of sinners or hardened criminals rejoice. As John Paul II said often, “We are an Easter people, and Hallelujah is our song.” Now go feast!
From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!
“Dios, infinitamente perfecto y bienaventurado en sí mismo, en un designio de pura bondad ha creado libremente al hombre para hacerle partícipe de su vida bienaventurada. Por eso, en todo tiempo y en todo lugar, se hace cercano del hombre: le llama y le ayuda a buscarle, a conocerle y a amarle con todas sus fuerzas. Convoca a todos los hombres, que el pecado dispersó, a la unidad de su familia, la Iglesia. Para lograrlo, llegada la plenitud de los tiempos, envió a su Hijo como Redentor y Salvador. En Él y por Él, llama a los hombres a ser, en el Espíritu Santo, sus hijos de adopción, y por tanto los herederos de su vida bienaventurada.” (CIC 1)
Este es el primer párrafo del catecismo y creo que resume perfectamente lo que celebramos hoy en esta hermosa mañana de Pascua. En la primera lectura de hoy escuchamos toda la historia del Evangelio predicada por Pedro. Este es el mismo Pedro que negó a Jesús tres veces unos días antes, y de quien leemos en el Evangelio que no entendía completamente lo que Cristo estaba haciendo hasta que vio la tumba vacía. Entonces Pedro conoció los planes de Dios y pudo proclamarlos fácil y sucintamente a todas las personas.
El objetivo de la temporada de Cuaresma es llevarnos a un punto en el que podamos darnos cuenta de que nuestro destino es compartir la vida divina de Dios. Esto no es sólo una vaga idea sentimental o una teología ambigua, sino que es el objetivo de nuestras vidas. Jesús te amó lo suficiente como para morir en un árbol para que pudieras ser adoptado como su amado. Parece bastante simple, pero ¿realmente comprendemos la profundidad del significado? La mañana de Pascua es la buena noticia de que no sólo fueron redimidos a gran precio, sino que la muerte de Dios no fue el final. Más bien, fue sólo el comienzo. Cristo resucitado de entre los muertos derrotó al pecado y a la muerte de una vez por todas y nos reclama nuevamente como hijos adoptivos.
Por eso la Pascua es la fiesta más importante de nuestro calendario litúrgico. Y Dios quiere que nos deleitemos. Puede que estemos un poco oxidados después de 40 días de ayuno, pero Dios quiere que hagamos todo lo posible. Recomiendo hacer la mejor cena que puedan dentro de sus posibilidades y celebrar en familia lo que Cristo ha hecho al vencer el pecado y la muerte. Las búsquedas de huevos de Pascua son divertidas y a todo el mundo le gusta el jamón cocido, pero no olvidemos el motivo de esta temporada: que Dios deseaba tu salvación y que vinieras a compartir su vida divina. Esto es suficiente para alegrar incluso al peor de los pecadores o al criminal más empedernido. Como decía a menudo Juan Pablo II: “Somos un pueblo de Pascua y el Aleluya es nuestro cántico”. Así que, ¡vete a festejar!
De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesano, ¡Dios los bendiga!
Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”
Feature Image Credit: Lexi Laginess, unsplash.com/photos/a-dark-tunnel-with-a-small-window-in-it-zfvr_8hDngc
David Dashiell is a freelance author and editor in Nashville, Tennessee. He has a master’s degree in theology from Franciscan University, and is the editor of the anthology 
Emily Jaminet is a Catholic author, speaker, radio personality, wife, and mother of seven children. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mental health and human services from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is the co-founder of 
Dr. Alexis Dallara-Marsh is a board-certified neurologist who practices in Bergen County, NJ. She is a wife to her best friend, Akeem, and a mother of two little ones on Earth and two others in heaven above.
Susan Ciancio has a BA in psychology and a BA in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, with an MA in liberal studies from Indiana University. For the past 19 years, she has worked as a professional editor and writer, editing both fiction and nonfiction books, magazine articles, blogs, educational lessons, professional materials and website content. Thirteen of those years have been in the pro-life sector. Currently Susan freelances and writes weekly for HLI, edits for American Life League, and is the executive editor of Celebrate Life Magazine. She also serves as executive editor for the Culture of Life Studies Program—an educational nonprofit program for K-12 students. You can reach her at 
Tami Urcia grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling projects, finding fun ways to keep her little ones occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works full time, is a guest blogger on 
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and seven grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is 
Kate Taliaferro is an Air Force wife and mother. She is blessed to be able to homeschool, bake bread and fold endless piles of laundry. When not planning a school day, writing a blog post or cooking pasta, Kate can be found curled up with a book or working with some kind of fiber craft. Kate blogs at 
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