Embracing Faith in the Resurrection’s Light – Apr 21 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Apr 21, 2025, contrasting belief in the resurrection, which brings joy and understanding, with refusal, leading to darkness and error, using Psalm 16 and the women’s witness.

Father explores the gospel’s contrast between belief and disbelief in the resurrection, emphasizing its transformative power. Believers, like the women who visited the tomb (Luke 24: 1-12), find joy and clarity in the “eighth day,” a symbol of eternity beyond the Sabbath’s seven-day cycle.

Disbelievers, such as the Jewish leaders, remain in darkness, resorting to lies (Matthew 28:11-15). Father highlights St. Peter’s Pentecost sermon (Acts 2: 14-36), where he interprets Psalm 16:8-11, noting David’s prophecy that God would not abandon the Messiah to corruption. David, a prophet, foresaw this through divine revelation and God’s oath about his descendant, the Messiah (Psalm 2: 7; 2 Samuel 7: 12-16). This prophecy, fulfilled in Christ’s third-day resurrection, reveals scripture’s meaning (Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 601).

The women, initially hesitant, obeyed the angel’s command to share the news, and their faith was rewarded with an encounter with the risen Lord (John 20: 11-18). Conversely, the soldiers’ avarice and the leaders’ pride and envy led to a false narrative, criticized by Saint Augustine for its absurdity. Father warns that rejecting faith, a gift that aligns with God’s truth (CCC 153), leads to error and spiritual loss. He urges embracing faith for eternal joy, concluding with a prayer for Pope Francis, who passed in hope of resurrection.

For further reading:

Psalm 16:8-11 - NAB - God’s Faithful One Preserved - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/16?8
Psalm 2:7 - NAB - The Messiah as God’s Son - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/2?7
2 Samuel 7:12-16 - NAB - God’s Covenant with David - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/7?12
Acts 2:14-36 - NAB - Peter’s Pentecost Sermon - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/2?14
Luke 24:1-12 - NAB - Women at the Empty Tomb - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24?1
Matthew 28:11-15 - NAB - Soldiers’ False Report - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/28?11
John 20:11-18 - NAB - Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/20?11
Catechism of the Catholic Church #601 - Christ’s Redemptive Death and Resurrection - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a4p2.htm#601
Catechism of the Catholic Church #153 - Faith as God’s Gift - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s1c3a1.htm#153
Catholic Answers - Is Belief in the Resurrection Reasonable? - https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/is-belief-in-the-resurrection-reasonable

00:00 – Opening Prayer
00:09 – Belief vs. Disbelief
00:47 – Resurrection’s Significance
01:02 – Peter’s Teaching
01:17 – Psalm 16 Prophecy
02:53 – Women’s Witness
04:37 – Denying the Truth
07:11 – Pope Francis Memorial

Ave Maria!

Mass: Monday of Easter Week - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042125.cfm
1st: act 2:14, 22-32
Resp: psa 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
Gsp: mat 28:8-15

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1690

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