Joy from Sorrow - Strength from Joy

"You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here." (Mk. 16:16) These are the words that Mary Magdelene, Mary the Mother of James, and Salome all heard when they entered the tomb where Jesus was placed after his crucifixion and death. They had come to anoint the body of Jesus. Scripture describes the one saying these words as a "young man in a white robe." This "young man" or angel was there to share the good news with them that Jesus rose from the dead. He tells them not to be amazed, but rather to go and share the good news with the disciples and Peter. The angel tells these women that Jesus will be in Galilee, where they will see the risen Lord.

The grief and suffering that Jesus' followers experienced on Good Friday as they watched Jesus die that agonizing death has been changed to joy. They thought that all of their hopes and dreams in the Messiah died with him on the cross. Instead, their lives will be changed forever with the joy of seeing Christ Jesus raised from the dead.

After encountering the risen Christ, Jesus gives them the command, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Mk. 16:15) This is a command that all members of the Holy Name Society are also called to do.

How are we to do this? By following and living out the Holy Name Pledge in our daily lives. In the pledge, we promise to "believe all the sacred truths which the Holy Catholic Church believes and teaches." Further we "promise to give good example by the regular practice of our faith."

By truly living out the Holy Name Pledge in our daily lives, we proclaim the gospel to every person we meet.

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!

Deacon Thomas R. Tortorella
Archdiocesan Union of the Holy Name Society of New York