As the earth bursts forth with springtime glory, we celebrate the great feast of new life, Easter Sunday. This Easter is so different because we cannot be together, but we know, as the prophet Isaiah reminds us, our God has not forgotten us but holds us all in the palm of His hand. So, this year, held in God’s loving embrace, we hold each other in our hearts and embrace each other in prayer. The Lord is risen, it is true! He will deliver us.
There are many things to be grateful for this Easter. We are grateful for all of our doctors, nurses, emergency room teams and first responders who heroically minister to those who are ill each day. We are grateful for the many charitable organizations and volunteers who are reaching out to those in need. We are grateful for all those God has placed in our lives as family, friends, disciples and believers. We are most grateful for our faith which gives us strength and comfort in this time of crisis. These are signs of God’s eternal goodness. The Lord is risen, it is true!
These lyrics from the musical Dear Evan Hansen seem so appropriate to all we are feeling in our isolation from each other and in our hope in God’s powerful presence: “Out of the shadows, morning is breaking :All is new, all is new. Even when the dark comes crashing through and you need someone to carry you, you will be found. When the sun comes streaming in, you will reach up and rise again. You will be found.” This is my Easter prayer for all of us. May we be found in the loving embrace of our God, in the gift of our new and eternal life in Jesus and on fire with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord is risen, it is true!
And so my dear brothers and sisters, on behalf of my brother priests and deacons and the entire staff of Saint John Capistran and Saint Thomas More, I wish you a blessed and happy Easter. I am thankful for all the ways in which you being new life to me, our parish and to each other. Though our churches are this day empty like the tomb, I feel confident that the new life of Jesus is shining in you and through you wherever you are. You are the best Easter gift and message I could receive. Happy Easter, with all my love and prayers.