Day 3 within the Octave of Easter

The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of faith in Christ, fulfilling what God promised to the fathers and standing at the heart of the Paschal mystery with the cross. The New Testament bears witness that it is a real historical event. The empty tomb, while not proof by itself, was an essential sign that led the disciples toward recognizing the Resurrection. Mary Magdalene and the holy women were the first to encounter the Risen One and to bring this message to the apostles; Jesus then appeared to Peter, the Twelve, and many others. Though the disciples were at first saddened, frightened, and slow to believe, their faith in the Resurrection was born, through divine grace, from their direct experience of the risen Jesus. As we reflect together, may we receive this central truth of faith with the witnesses who handed it on.

The Catechism teaches that the Church of Christ is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic—qualities given to her by Christ through the Holy Spirit and essential to her mission. Faith recognizes that these qualities come from God, while the Church’s growth, holiness, fruitfulness, unity, and stability also witness to her divine mission. The Church’s oneness reflects the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and is enriched, not diminished, by the diverse peoples, cultures, gifts, offices, and traditions gathered within the People of God. As we pray and live together, we can remember that the Church’s unity is sustained by charity, the profession of one apostolic faith, the common celebration of worship and the sacraments, and apostolic succession through Holy Orders.

The Catechism acknowledges the painful reality of divisions that have wounded the unity of Christ’s Body. These ruptures, including heresy, apostasy, and schism, do not occur without human sin, and people on both sides were often to blame for later separations from full communion with the Catholic Church (CCC 817). At the same time, those born and raised in other Christian communities are not charged with the sin of separation; through Baptism and faith they are incorporated into Christ and are received with respect and affection as brothers and sisters in the Lord (CCC 818). Many gifts of sanctification and truth are found outside the Catholic Church’s visible boundaries, and Christ’s Spirit uses these communities as means of salvation, drawing people toward Catholic unity (CCC 819). Christ gave his Church unity from the beginning, and the Church is called to pray and work for that unity through renewal, conversion of heart, shared prayer, mutual understanding, dialogue, and service alongside other Christians (CCC 820-821). As we reflect together, we can place our hope in Christ’s prayer, the Father’s love, and the power of the Holy Spirit, since the reconciliation of all Christians ultimately surpasses human strength (CCC 822).