Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life…and Gratitude Challenge Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life; that’s a sentiment that we’re familiar with as a big change happens and a new chapter unfolds. The apostles too would have understood this sentiment. They saw Christ at all stages of his public ministry, calling disciples and performing miracles and then watching Christ suffer and die while they stood on the sidelines. They then experienced Christ’s rising from the dead, not a metaphorical reawakening but a true triumph over the effect of sin. The apostles on Easter Sunday awoke to the first day of the rest of their lives. The same apostles almost all go on to be martyred for the faith excepting John who was exiled to Patmos, possibly a worse punishment than martyrdom. The apostles experienced change and a new chapter of their life that day that led them to joyfully proclaim Christ even in the face of persecution. The apostles didn’t let their fear or tepidity stand in the way of the work for which they were made and commissioned to do by Christ Himself, to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). As Catholics we believe that at every Mass, we too take part in the sacrifice of Christ, but also in his victory over death at his resurrection. “In the New Testament, the memorial takes on a new meaning. When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ’s Passover, and it is made present: the sacrifice of Christ offered once and for all on the cross remains ever present. ‘As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which “Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed” is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out.’” (CCC 1364) If we too then are standing at the foot of the cross at every Mass, we too must respond as the apostles did, going out and living our lives differently than we did before. If this is your first time coming to Mass: welcome, this is the first day of the rest of your life! If you have ever left the Church: welcome, this is the first day of the rest of your life! If you have been Catholic your entire life: welcome, this is the first day of the rest of your life! None of us can leave this place unchanged! As the apostles walked away new men, we too are called to be changed by Christ’s sacrifice and triumphant resurrection and to live differently after our encounter with Christ crucified and risen. One way that we can live differently after meeting Jesus face to face in the Mass is to be grateful and return to him what he has freely given to us. St. Paul tells the Church at Thessalonica “In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Notice Paul doesn’t say “in some circumstances” or “in good circumstances.” No, we are admonished to thank God in ALL circumstances. The good and the bad. The trial and the peace. It’s not always easy to respond with gratitude, but there is always something in our lives that we can be grateful for. At the Leadership Summit earlier this month, Coach Matthew Mitchell said, “joy is an attitude that is rooted in gratitude to God for this life he has given me.” I know that is true in my life. When I acknowledge the gifts that I have received and I am grateful for them, I am more joyful. I may not be happy, but joy is a deeper emotion regardless of circumstance or tribulation. I would like to invite you to join me and fellow parishioners this month in showing gratitude to God for what he has freely given to you in your life. We will have post it notes available after masses for Divine Mercy Sunday (4/6 and 4/7) on which we are asking everyone to write something they are grateful for. All our notes will be placed at entrances to remind everyone of the blessings that we have received and to grow our joy out of the soil of gratitude.