"A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND NEW BEGINNINGS"

Acts 10:1-48  04/20/2025

The tomb is empty. Christ is risen indeed—Hallelujah!

Because of Easter, we are here. Easter is not just a day on the calendar—it is the cornerstone of our faith and the wellspring of our eternal hope. It stands at the very heart of everything the Church has proclaimed since the day Jesus ascended into heaven. As the apostle Paul boldly declared, “If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain, and we are still lost in our sins.” But thanks be to God, Jesus has been raised! And today, we rejoice in that victory.

Easter is not the end of the story—it is the glorious beginning of a new chapter for all humanity. It is the dawn of a new creation, the beginning of a transformed future, and the promise that God is making all things new.

In today’s lesson from Acts 10, we are introduced to Cornelius—a Gentile, an Italian centurion, a man of honor and deep reverence for God. Though he was not Jewish, he lived a life of devotion, generosity, and prayer. Yet in those days, Jews and Gentiles remained separated. Jews believed themselves to be God’s exclusive people, and interaction with Gentiles was considered improper.

But God had other plans for the world.

One day, Cornelius received a vision from God, instructing him to send men to Joppa to find Peter. At the same time, Peter too was given a vision—a puzzling image of unclean animals, which he was told to kill and eat. When he resisted, the voice of God said, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” Through this vision, God was preparing Peter for something far greater than dietary change—God was preparing him to break barriers, to open the door of salvation to the Gentiles.

Peter traveled to Caesarea, met Cornelius, and there delivered his final recorded sermon. In that moment, Peter’s eyes were fully opened to the inclusive heart of the Gospel. He proclaimed, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality.” This truth echoes Paul’s later words: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). The resurrection is the fulfillment of God's promise to unite all people through Christ.

Peter came to realize that God's saving work in Jesus Christ is for everyone—without exception. And so, the Gospel moved beyond the boundaries of ethnicity, culture, and tradition. It became the good news for all who believe.

Because of Easter, even those once considered outsiders—like Cornelius, and like many of us—are now fully embraced in God’s family. God has changed the course of history forever, and the mission of the Church has become a mission for the whole world.

You know, many people today enjoy ham on Easter—a perfectly normal tradition. But for generations, pork was considered unclean and strictly forbidden under the Jewish Law. What was once off-limits is now acceptable. In a way, our Easter meal is symbolic: we celebrate with joy, because we have been made clean and welcomed by God. We are no longer outsiders—we are sons and daughters of the Most High.

God shows no partiality.

And yet, even with this joyful truth, we face an urgent challenge. How do we proclaim Christ in today’s world? How do we reflect His love in an increasingly diverse and global society?

The Church in the United States—and throughout the world—must be a place of prayer, welcome, and invitation for people of all ages and from every ethnicity, language, and culture. This beautiful diversity reflects the very heart of God's kingdom. Though we may come from different backgrounds and speak different tongues, we are united as one body in Christ. We are called to love one another deeply, to reach out with compassion to our neighbors, and to live as Christ’s ambassadors in a world that so often feels divided.

If we fail to embrace this mission—if we remain silent, inward-focused, or hesitant to engage—then we risk watching our churches slowly decline, one by one. But if we move forward in faith, rooted in love and bold in prayer, we can trust that God will go before us, opening hearts and transforming lives. With Christ leading the way, our churches can become vibrant communities of grace, where all are welcomed, and where the Gospel shines brightly for generations to come.

Jesus has promised, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart—I have overcome the world.” And He also said, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” We are not alone in this mission. The risen Christ walks with us. The power of the Holy Spirit equips and strengthens us to carry out the work of the Kingdom.

So let us go forth with joy and courage. Let us proclaim with our lives that Christ is risen, that forgiveness is real, that love conquers hate, and that hope overcomes despair.

May the God of Easter bless us, empower us, and use us to bring the light of the resurrection to a world longing for renewal.

Blessed be God—day by day! Amen.