Easter Message

I wish you and your families a blessed and joyful Easter!

Every year the prayers and scriptures of the Easter liturgy remind us of the ways that the Death and Resurrection of our Lord is the climax of salvation history. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a triumph over death. It unlocks for us the path to eternity. It is a moment in history with eternal consequences, and it offers us hope, a promise of eternal life, and victory over sin and death. A new age has begun, and the Holy Spirit is now the presence and power that guides and energizes our lives and our faith.

All four Gospels agree that, on that very first Easter morning, those who went to the tomb of the Lord Jesus found it empty [Matthew 28:1-10]. The Gospel of Matthew provides the account of the empty tomb at the Easter morn, and the evangelist tells us that those visiting the tomb were told: “Why do you seek the living among the
dead? He is not here but has risen” and concludes, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

"THE LORD IS RISEN, INDEED" became a traditional Easter greeting, and, down through the ages, it has been part of the Paschal greeting exchanged among those who believe in paschal mystery.

From the very first Easter, down through the centuries, up to the present day, Christians have witnessed to our Lord’s Resurrection with similar concise confessions. Even today, we engage in these brief but substantial confessional statements in the memorial acclamation at Mass as we proclaim the mystery of our faith, “We
proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.” The proclamation of the good news of Christ’s Resurrection takes place not only at Easter but also at every day of our lives and especially when we come together at Mass.

Let us draw from the writings and reflections of Saint Paul “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).

More than simply an isolated moment in history, Christ’s resurrection has inaugurated a communion and mission in which we, a community that belongs to Christ, have become participants. We are not meant to be mere spectators or contemplators of Christ’s resurrection. By virtue of our baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are called and enabled to be personally committed. Saint Paul makes it clear that we are already living our lives with the Risen Lord, and we are called to live our lives- in the here and now- reminds us all of who we are and what we share in and with the Risen Christ.

Let us join our prayers as we rejoice in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. May our joyful proclamation continue to ring out:
JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN! THE LORD IS RISEN, INDEED!