Cathedral Family,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Christ, the Lord, is Risen! Today is the first day of the rest of our lives as we bask in the knowledge that Christ has overcome the depths of human darkness, isolation, and despair. In this celebration of triumph, let us ponder what it all means.
On this Easter Day, we do not meet the Risen Lord. Rather, we meet an empty tomb. Why? We are not consoled by a bold proclamation of Christ alive in our midst. Instead, we are catapulted into the arena of making a bold statement of faith, much like the first witnesses to the Resurrection. When Peter and John witnessed the stone being rolled back from the tomb and found it empty, we are told: “They saw and believed.”
Today, we must make the same act of faith. Even though everything in our lives may be far from perfect. We may have many things that are incomplete and unsatisfactory, with no ready solution. Yet, in the light of the Good News of Easter, everything gets put into perspective. All will ultimately be well because in Jesus, there is hope, promise, and another chance. He sees us and knows our journey better than we know ourselves. He is with us to take just the next step into His new creation.
Today, rest in the certainty that the Lord has a plan for your life. It is a plan made for your good, and He will help us claim this new moment of grace.
I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very blessed and happy Easter. May you spend time with family and friends in renewed experiences of God’s love for you.
Please come to daily mass this week as much as possible! We continue to honor the One Great Day of the Resurrection. Next weekend, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. An important moment to claim the beautiful truth of God’s mercy upon our sinfulness and pride, or rebellion and rejections---all melt in the ocean of His mercy. Please come and celebrate the Sunday Mass with us—and also join at 3 pm on Sunday for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a preached reflection on Divine Mercy, and the chanting of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
In the Peace of the Risen Christ,
Father Christy