Alleluia! He is Risen (Easter) - New Evangelizers

We began on Holy Thursday as Christ instituted the Eucharist and washed the feet of his disciples, commanding them “as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13:15). On Good Friday we remembered Jesus’ death on the cross, purchasing our salvation with his body broken and his blood poured out for us.  And then we waited in darkness until the Light shone once again through the darkness at the Easter Vigil.

This year was a special celebration as once again I was able to watch as two new Catholics came into the Church after months of preparation.  What joy it is to know you helped on a person’s journey of faith.

We celebrate the Easter season for the next fifty days until Pentecost.  But in reality, our celebration never ends because Jesus has conquered death and we are to live in the light of His Glory and Resurrection each and every day of our lives.  What better way to evangelize than to live in the joy of the Resurrection?

As St. Paul tells us “For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor 7b-8).  The unleavened bread is the Eucharist; a feast which we celebrate at least every Sunday, reminding us that we have Christ within us.  The Eucharist feeds us body and soul, giving us strength and courage, calling us to hope, freeing us from sin and daring us to be fully alive in Christ.

May the joy of Christ’s resurrection live in us as we in live in the world leading all to the love of Him who gave us everything.

Copyright © 2013, Deanna Bartalini

Deanna Bartalini

Deanna G. Bartalini, is a Catholic writer, speaker, and educator. She serves on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center. Deanna loves teaching about Catholicism and how it fits into our daily lives. She writes at DeannaBartalini.com, serves as the editor of the NewEvangelizers.com blog, and is a contributor there as well as at AmazingCatechists.com. Deanna contributed to A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion published by Ave Maris Press. She is the author of “Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life: Growing in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control” published by Our Sunday Visitor. Deanna is available to lead retreats and speak at catechist and ministry events.