FROM THE DESK OF FR STEVE
Happy Easter to everyone! Though this may be an Easter we will never forget, it is still an Easter to celebrate. Though we may not be able to gather together, Jesus has still risen from the grave—destroying death! We have nothing to fear in these times of great tribulation, because we have a Sovereign King who does not sit on an earthly throne but on a Heavenly one.
Rejoice for today we have been promised new life in Him! With our quarantine perhaps the Lord has revealed to us what we are most lacking in our lives. Where we seek to fill up with worldly goods and pleasures— revealing just how empty and broken our lives are. Rejoice for today we receive the true meaning and purpose of life ... life in Him who conquered sin and death and promises life with Him! Rejoice!
One of the greatest early Church Saints wrote this in the third Century about the Resurrection:
“O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages." (St. John Chrysostom)
--An acronym for this time we find ourselves in-- What we need right now is HOPE. Hope=He Offers Peace Everyday! We look all around at things to satisfy us: alcohol, money, power, time wasting things, entertainment, technology and the list goes on and on. All of these things cause our hearts to stir more and more. They don’t bring peace. In the Gospels, story after story of Jesus’ Resurrection has Him saying to those He meets: “Peace be with you!” He wants to give us His peace, and that can only happen when we place our HOPE in Him.
Rejoice! We have a God who lives, a God who has defeated sin and death! We have nothing to fear, nothing to worry and nothing to be anxious about. Happy Easter to all of you. Please know how much I have prayed for all of you over these Blessed Days of Holy Week. I miss you (even though we were just getting to know each other). Please do remember me in your prayers as well. HE IS RISEN...TRULY HE IS RISEN!!!
Happy Easter to you and your families!
In the Heart of Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Steve