With the Easter Octave over, the Gospel readings will now come from the Gospel of John for the rest of the Easter season. The readings start with chapters 3 and 6 of John’s Gospel. Chapter 3 is Christ’s discussion of baptism with Nicodemus, and chapter 6 is the Eucharistic discourse after the multiplication of the loaves.

The Church places these readings here to remind us of our response to the resurrection of Christ. This is not just an event that occurred 2,000 years ago and we recall fondly as an interesting historical occurrence. It is something that we participate in; we too can be transformed by Christ’s death and resurrection. And it is the sacraments that make this participation possible. St. Paul tells us that “we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death…We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4).

What a gift are the sacraments! Through them we become intimately united with the saving works of our Lord and thus can become more like him every day.