April 21, 2024, 12:00 PM

It is totally appropriate to wish everyone a Happy Easter today and for 4 more weeks. Easter is 50 days of “He is Risen!” Our profession, “on the third day he rose again,” is at the very heart of our faith. The Risen Christ says to His witnesses, to each of us, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). “He is Risen” is a message that everyone needs to hear again and again. This Easter season, we can resolve to more fully become true evangelizers, boldly proclaiming, as did the Apostles, “Christ is Risen.” We can help those who have fallen away from the Church. We can witness the Gospel to them to help restore in them the peace and joy of Christ. Jesus took on our human nature and showed us how to live. In the Paschal Mystery, Jesus gave the fullness of Himself to save us from slavery to sin and death and to offer us everlasting life. It is the singular, most important moment in all of human history. It means that our lives should be guided by hope of rising with our Savior. When we direct all our actions according to this new life within us, we become more Christ-like. Jesus is not merely an historical figure, He is alive and desires a living relationship with us. He loves us and He asks us to live as He did by sharing God’s saving love. In the Eucharist, Jesus gives Himself to us so we have the strength and courage to take Him to others. Now you know!