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Easter 2013

Revolutionized by the Resurrection

(An excerpt from Fr. Cedric’s new book RISE! Published this Summer 2013)

I was visiting my mother in Florida on Easter 2012. I got up early that morning and decided to walk on the beach. What a tranquil, glorious morning it was! Few people were up, and the sun rose over the ocean as I walked. After a brief walk, I sat down on some stairs and gazed out over the water and reflected on this special morning of resurrection. I thought of people all over our country and world who were packing churches, singing songs, and hearing the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection at that very moment. I began to pray. As I sat there looking out over the ocean and praying, I heard a soft whisper within me, “You believe in the resurrection. But, do you believe you can experience the resurrection now?”

My heart began to surge as I realized God was speaking to me about the meaning of Easter. “Yes!” God was saying, “There will be a future resurrection, but what about each day now?” God was assuring me about the possibility to experience the risen life in every area of my being. This assurance from God is the meaning of Romans 6:4: “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Newness of life! I began to think about my attitude and how negative I can be. I realized that I wasn’t always joyful. Sometimes I let fear dominate my life and control me. My mind can think of all kinds of wayward, strange thoughts. I don’t always work and live with energy and passion. My prayer life can sometimes be lackadaisical. I need power to experience ongoing conversion and behavioral change.

As I thought about the possibility of newness, joy welled up within me. Although I wasn’t in church that morning, a great sermon about the reality of the resurrection was being preached in my heart. Yes, the resurrection of Jesus actually happened and must be celebrated. Yes, I will one day be raised from the dead. I have a living hope. But what God was sharing with me is that the resurrection can revolutionize my everyday life now. That Easter moment was such a precious “revelation” to me. This wasn’t the first time I had this insight. I had already believed this. I was already experiencing resurrection in many facets of my life. In fact the first CD series I recorded many years ago was called “Living the Resurrected Life.” In this CD series, I talked about how God works in us now to renew us in every area of our life. As I sat there that Easter morning, God was recalling this to my mind, and a new surge of hope flooded me. I knew God was inviting me to continued renewal as well as inspiring me to write this book.

Robert Brown from Holyoke, Massachusetts sent me this apropos poem and gave me permission to share it with you:

Raised with Christ

We’re buried with Him in baptism
And raised with Christ by graces;
So now, we’re seated with Christ
Above, in heavenly places.

So walk in newness of life
Reckoning yourselves dead unto sin,
But also “alive” unto God
Sensing his presence within.

And if ye be risen with Christ,
Set your affections on things above;
For you too have been crucified
And risen with Him in Love

And that same Spirit that raised Jesus
Shall “Quicken” you each day;
For you are a “New Creation in Christ,”
So seek to go His way.

The writer of Ephesians begins his epistle with a powerful prayer. In this prayer, he wrote that we may know the “immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead.” (Eph. 1:19-20) In other words, the same power which raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us now! This power is great and immeasurable. This power isn’t so much that we can run fast or jump tall buildings in a single bound. Rather this power has to do with inner might to have our hearts enlightened to know God. This power enables us to love those who are annoying and irritating. This power ennobles us to bravely endure the misfortunes that come our way. This strength keeps us faithful, persevering, and living with integrity. This power is immeasurable with its scope of creativity and passion. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you and me!

We need this 50 day season to absorb the Risen Life. We need an infusion of resurrection power! May you experience the resurrection in your thoughts, moral life, spiritual life, emotions, attitude and body. Jesus is Risen. Now we can RISE!

During the latest Bishop's meeting in November 2012, the Bishops stressed once again our need to celebrate reconciliation. They urged us to avail ourselves to the healing and grace Jesus offers us in this sacrament. I urge you to celebrate reconciliation during this season of Lent. What a wonderful way to "receive" the Lord.

Here is the examination of conscience sheet I promised you on TV:

RECONCILIATION

A person's conscience is our most secret core and our sanctuary. There we are alone with God whose voice echoes in our depths. (Catechism #1776)

The Spiritual and moral life is about going forward, moving and growing. As you examine your heart, your conscience, are there any areas where you feel stuck or are even going backwards? You must confront and confess these issues in order to move. In addition, you must be honest enough to try to get to the roots. As you open your issues and sins to the Lord, you can trust God for mercy, gentleness and healing.

Some issues to think about:

1) Anger: Are you angry with others, circumstances, self or God? Is there bitterness, resentment and non-forgiveness in your heart? Do you manage your anger by "exploding" or "imploding"? Possible roots of anger are: Perfectionism, Grasping for control, unrealistic expectations, family of origin.

2) Relationships: Is there someone you need to forgive? Can you ask for the courage to pray for them now? Is there someone you need to confront about their behavior? Ask for the courage to do so and to do it in a non-threatening way. Are you striving to love the irritating and "unlovely" people in your life? Or do you just avoid them?

3) Codependency: Do you allow the behaviors and emotions of others to control and manipulate you? Are you a people pleaser and live in fear of what others think all the time? Do you stand up for yourself? Are you true to yourself? Roots: insecurity, fear of rejection.

4) Idols: What "catches" your eye in life? Is it out of balance shopping, T.V., excessive Internet, gambling, food, drinking, sex, travel, sports, or work? Are you impulsive, compulsive, obsessive and out of control in any of these areas? What would being in balance mean in these areas? Roots: Low self-image/body image, boredom, lack of control, frustration with life, loneliness, self-sabotage. The need to escape from external and/or internal pain.

5) Gossip: Do you build relationships with others based on ungodly talk and slander? Control? Manipulation? Possible roots are the need for acceptance and approval from others. Belittling others to make yourself feel more important. Insecurity.

6) Lust: Do you watch programs on T.V., explore the Internet or read books that are inappropriate? Does this lead unwanted behaviors? Possible roots: Longing for God shifted to lust. Lack of contentment stemming from the need for excitement. Lack of self-control and immaturity. Simple rebelliousness and flippant disregard.

7) Laziness: Are you lazy in areas of personal health, relationships, work, and seeking God? Roots: Lack of self-control and discipline, immaturity, low self-esteem, selfishness, lack of integrity.

8) Pride: Are you stubborn, controlling, insensitive, cynical, contentious, opinionated and slow to say you were wrong? Do you judge others harshly simply by appearance? Pride denies and hides issues. It has a need to always be right. Humility admits, confronts and confesses. Roots: "I" Selfishness, negative self-image, fear and insecurity.

9) Anything else? Is there any other area that you need to confront and look at in order to experience healing, forgiveness and go forward? Look at your relationship with God, others and self. Try to think not just about your issues, but possible roots. God Bless you
as you confront, face your pain, confess and move forward!!

ACT OF CONTRITION

Jesus, I have sinned.

I am sorry.

Have mercy in your kindness.

I want to make a move and change.

I want to receive you.

I make the decision to follow you. Amen!

In addition to an act of contrition (sorrow for our sins and for hurting God) we also receive a "penance" when we celebrate reconciliation. A penance is not a "punishment" for our sins. Rather, it is a means to help you to turn from sin and begin afresh with God. Reading the Bible has traditionally been given as a penance to help people to turn to Jesus and experience healing. Please pray as you read slowly this passage from Psalm 51 from the Bible as your penance:

~Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.

~Behold, you desire truth in the inward being;

therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean;

wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

~Fill me with joy and gladness;

let the bones which you have broken rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquities.

~Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and put a new and right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

~O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth shall declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
were I to give you a burnt offering,
you would not be pleased.

~The sacrifice acceptable to God

is a broken spirit;

a broken contrite heart, O God,

you will not despise. Amen.

***Based on Fr. Cedric's books You Can Change and A Retreat with Fr. Cedric BOOKS


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Father Cedric Pisegna, C.P.
430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston, TX 77024-6308
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Raised with Christ

We’re buried with Him in baptism And raised with Christ by graces; So now, we’re seated with Christ Above, in heavenly places.

So walk in newness of life Reckoning yourselves dead unto sin, But also “alive” unto God Sensing his presence within.

And if ye be risen with Christ, Set your affections on things above; For you too have been crucified And risen with Him in Love

And that same Spirit that raised Jesus Shall “Quicken” you each day; For you are a “New Creation in Christ,” So seek to go His way.

We’re buried with Him in baptism
And raised with Christ by graces;
So now, we’re seated with Christ
Above, in heavenly places.

So walk in newness of life
Reckoning yourselves dead unto sin,
But also “alive” unto God
Sensing his presence within.

And if ye be risen with Christ,
Set your affections on things above;
For you too have been crucified
And risen with Him in Love

And that same Spirit that raised Jesus
Shall “Quicken” you each day;
For you are a “New Creation in Christ,”
So seek to go His way.