The above verse is the first time in the Gospels that Jesus specifically calls His apostles "brothers." God the Father can now become the Father of the apostles, and of us, because He will now be able to give them the Holy Spirit due to Jesus' Resurrection (Jn 16:7). The Spirit "proceeds from the Father and the Son" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 246; cf Jn 14:16, 26). Thus Jesus, Who ascends to His Father, knows that His disciples can be re-born as God's children (see Jn 3:5), and therefore, literally be His brothers and sisters, children of the same Father. The apostles had done the will of God and were trying their best to remain together as His community. And so Jesus rewarded them by telling them that His Father and God is their Father and God (Jn 20:17). What a privilege to be able to call the God Who created the universe our Father!
When we carry our crosses and follow Jesus, He has blessings in store for us that make us consider the sufferings we must endure as nothing (Rm 8:18). Pope Francis has spoken of Christians who choose to live a "Lent without Easter" existence. He meant that they focus on various aspects of the Christian life, such as the cross, suffering, and renunciation, but neglect to rejoice and be glad in the risen life Jesus came to inaugurate. The Pope said that these Christians don't let the joy of the risen Jesus transform their hearts or smiles. They aren't receiving their reward in full (see 2 Jn 8).
Be Jesus' brother or sister. Be a child of the Father. Rejoice and be glad in the risen Savior. Jesus is risen. Alleluia!
| PRAYER: | "I have seen the Lord!" (Jn 20:18) |
| PROMISE: | "You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." –Acts 2:38 |
| PRAISE: | Praise the risen Jesus! "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor 15:55) Alleluia forever! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College