"Baptism and Mission"

Today's Mass Readings

Alleluia! Easter is a time for rejoicing and celebrating Christ’s resurrection. In the reading from today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene sees the risen Lord. Jesus appears to her, risen from the dead. The joy of the resurrection impels Mary to share this joy with the apostles. This sharing of Christ’s resurrection is an important Easter theme. If Lent prepared us for experiencing the joy of the Easter season, then Easter is a form of preparation for sharing our joy with the whole world. Our baptism makes each one of us priests of Christ to the whole world.

Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, discusses the centrality of baptism. The apostle Peter explains that baptism is for all, for adults as well as for their children. Baptism forgives sin and imparts the Holy Spirit, which, with repentance and an obedient faith, allows us to grow in the Lord. Many were added to the number of the followers of Jesus in today’s first reading. Many were also added to this number this past Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil, when men and women were baptized into Christ.

Baptism necessarily implies mission. We become disciples of the Lord through our Baptism. And like Mary Magdalene, from today’s Gospel reading, we, as disciples of the Lord, are to bring Jesus to the world. This not only entails sharing Jesus’ message of salvation, but also in transforming the world around us. Impelled by our Easter joy, let us go out and share the Lord with others. Let us share the joy of knowing and loving Jesus, through our words and deeds. Let this day not pass without us being a witness to the Risen Lord.