March 31, 2024

One of my favorite home memories of Easter was the baking of the Paska bread for the Easter basket that we took to the parish church to be blessed. Besides the aroma of the baking bread, there was what seemed like the small miracle of the bread rising to prepare for baking. In time, I learned that is yeast that makes this happen. Having a life all its own, when sugar is added to yeast, it makes the dough rise, giving it the airy texture that we enjoy when we eat bread. 

St. Paul reminds us today that just a little yeast affects the whole dough. We can imagine this yeast as God's life dwelling in us and the power of Jesus' resurrection in our lives. As we read the Acts of the Apostles during this joyful Eastertide, we will hear about this power in action: In releasing Peter from prison, in converting St. Paul on the road to Damascus, in Peter raising Tabitha from the dead, and in Peter and John healing the paralytic. The good news is that this power is still present in our world today, if we only slow down to notice it. 

Like the yeast in the bread, the power of Jesus' resurrection is present in us as well, through the life of grace, empowering us to be Jesus' instruments in bringing those we know and love close to him. But to get in touch with this, we have to nurture it by the sweetness of prayer, the sacraments and good deeds. Only the Good Lord knows how many people we lead to him when this power is operative in us. 

May the Risen Lord fill your homes and families with his grace, peace and joy during this Holy Season so that your hearts will remain ever close to him. A prime way in which the Risen Jesus manifests this is through the outpouring of his mercy. As we celebrate Divine Mercy next Sunday, I cordially invite you to partake in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after 11:30 Mass, Confessions at 2:00 p.m. and Devotions at 3:00 p.m. with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A plenary indulgence is granted to those who confess their sins, receive Holy Communion and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. Take good advantage of this opportunity for grace and mercy in your lives. 

Please accept both my best wishes and those of the Assumption Parish staff for a most Blessed and Joyous Easter.