They were all cured. Acts 5:12-16

If you kept a good Lent this year, you have experienced death and rebirth in your spiritual life. If you celebrated the sacrament of reconciliation before Easter this year, you have acknowledged your sin and experienced forgiveness. You have been healed.

One of the first signs of the resurrection was healing. After Jesus rose from the dead, his apostles inherited many of his gifts. They preached powerful sermons. They forgave sins. They healed the sick. People placed the sick on the streets so that Peter’s shadow would fall on them as he walked by. Faith was strong, God’s Spirit, even stronger.

Now that this year’s Easter has come, the healing power of God’s Holy Spirit will be at work within you. At the Easter Vigil you renewed your baptismal promises. You recommitted yourself to Christ. Now in the Easter season, Christ will recommit himself to you. You bask for 50 days in the glow of glory.

Perhaps you have experienced doubt. Perhaps you wondered if you can become a new you. On Ash Wednesday you admitted the sickness of your sin and sought the medicine of Lent. Perhaps now you wonder if the new you will stick. Or will you relapse?

The full grace of this season is yours to receive. The risen Christ stands in glory above the tomb. He offers new life and healing.

Written by Paul Turner. Liturgy Training Publications
Copyright 2003, Archdiocese of Chicago