Jesus had died. The one whom Mary had thought was the Messiah was crucified. The disciples were filled with despair. How could this be? All those years of following him and learning from him seemed to be in vain because Jesus allowed himself to be taken into custody, beaten, nailed to a cross, and left to die.



On the morning of the third day, when the news of Jesus’ death had all but sunk into the disciples’ weary souls, Mary and the other women disciples announced to the other disciples "He is alive!" Thinking that the women had been overcome with grief, the men did not believe their words, words that seemed like nonsense. They asked themselves, "How can this be?" (based on Luke 24:1-12)

But it was true. The Good News was not nonsense. The Father had raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus Christ was the Messiah after all.

From that day on, Easter became the central feast of the Christian community. The immense joy of Jesus’ rising demanded a feast far greater than any other. Today the Church continues to rejoice at the Good News of Jesus’ Resurrection.

Family Activity

	Read aloud the Scripture story of the walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13:35).

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Talk about the story. Share that each time we celebrate the Eucharist, we "see" Jesus Christ in the breaking of the bread, just as the two disciples did at Emmaus.

See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information.
See also Catechist—Lent or Teacher—Lent for Liturgy.