“Jesus Christ is RISEN!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!”
“He is RISEN indeed!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!”

Last week at this time we were just starting the drama.  Now we are fully engulfed in the sheer joy of this celebration of our salvation.  We have re-lived all the thrills of the various celebrations of Palm/Passion Sunday.  We have prayed through the solemnity of Holy Thursday and even WASHED FEET.  We have borne the weight of the grieving of Good Friday and now come to the greatest, highest holy time of our whole year it is EASTER!!  What a tremendous opportunity to celebrate, lift our hearts and spirits and know life.

New life is all around us.  Jesus has broken the chains of sin, pain and sorrow and won for us the victory over death by rising from the dead.  Our newest Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are experiencing the multiple layers of Sacramental new life.  They have been cleansed in Baptism.  They have been strengthened in Confirmation.  They now are called to continually be nourished through the repeated invitation to the Eucharist for the rest of their lives.  They inspire us to be more alive in our own faith: “Alleluia!”

All of us are like the women who went to that empty tomb on that first day of the week.  We are called to proclaim with our very lives, Jesus Christ is RISEN! Alleluia!  We are amazed that all Jesus taught in his short life of ministry is coming true.  We are reminded that Jesus did all he accomplished in this world in three short years.  We see the miracles our God performs all over our lives and we might be confused or disoriented but eventually, we see and believe. 

As we gather in these next weeks of Easter to attempt at unpacking all that this wonderful time of grace and celebration bring to us, we are keenly aware of our continued blessing from God.  Perhaps, as Easter unfolds for us this year, after the colorful baskets, chocolate bunnies and eggs are all gone, we might just become more amazed seeing how our God calls us to further journey with Him through all that new life with God can bring to us.  We embrace this Easter season with hearts renewed, spirits lightened and true joy permeating our whole being.  As we share these exciting days together, perhaps our joy might just life the spirits of one who otherwise might not be able to see, hear or feel the joy we have.

We continue reliving the Pascal Mystery of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.  We continue to prepare for our final journey to God.  Until then, we experience this Easter joy; we call upon our God for further strength, patience and courage. 

May God bless us today and always!

-Fr. Andy