Let us celebrate the Feast!

From the Bridge of Angels, Rome

St. Paul's words to the Corinthians (1Cor 5:6b-8) echo in Churches throughout the world. Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

The words of the sequence read at the Easter liturgy is glorious:

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconcile sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
"The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus' resurrection;
Bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
To Galilee he goes before you."
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.
(Victimae paschali laudes)

Death and life had contended in that combat stupendous: The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal!


We live in a culture that avoids suffering at all costs--whether it be the denial of aging (look at the sales of Viagara, cosmetic surgery, hair dye, Botox, etc.), avoidance of aching hearts (look at the sales of anti-depressants and the increase in addictive behavior through drugs and alcohol), the inability to face difficult relationships (the divorce rate is staggering) and life issues (assisted suicide and abortion). When life hands us lemons--we don't make lemonade--we search for an anesthetic that numbs, helping us avoid the reality of what life has handed us!

Jesus saves us from this sad existence of constant stress and denial. If we place our hope and trust in Him, nothing can deter us from our goal--which is Heaven! Eternal happiness, eternal love--with all who have lived before us and all who are to come. What glory! Death has no chains on us--Christ has triumphed!

When my Mother was dying of ovarian cancer, she asked if I thought Christ suffered as much. We talked about how the Lord was with her in her suffering--He understood her pain because He endured it on the Cross for her and for all. His saving action takes all of our pain and sanctifies it, freeing us.  Through our faith in Christ, when we enter through the portal of death, we have the hope of everlasting life. Free of pain, free of suffering, to live in eternal glory with the One who Saved us.

The Eucharist is our reminder of the day. Each time the priest calls down the Power of the Holy Spirit, we are joined with all those who have gone on before us in faith. We are also joined with all those who gather in this world in faith. It is as if time collapses and we are one in communion with the Lord. We receive a glimpse of Eternal Love. That unity is ours to take to the world, drawing all to Christ. This is our mission.

This is a glorious time of year. The earth is bursting forth with the same message: The Lord came to give us life! Let us proclaim the joy of this good news!