From the Pastor – Easter Sunday
From the Pastor – Easter Sunday
Our reflection on the Easter readings may be as profound as any throughout the liturgical year. Stewards understand that this life is merely a prelude to the next life — that is why they live as stewards. They recognize that what they seek is a heavenly reward, not an earthly one. Thus the question they must ask is not “What is in this for me?” The question the good steward asks is, “How can I serve?”
We are called to be an Easter people. There is a significant difference between being an Easter people and just a Church people. If we are truly an Easter people, our focus is on the victory which Christ’s Resurrection presents to us.
Easter and the promise it presents us make us a joyful people, who worship with a sense of hope and confidence. Easter people as good stewards live their lives with an attitude of gratitude, not a sense of obligation. Easter people do not fear death, but have comfort in the promises and salvation of Christ.
Pastoral Pondering
As I write this, I am looking out upon the Sea of Galilee, and in the last several days have celebrated two Masses in the Lord’s tomb where it is tradition to celebrate the Mass of Easter Sunday. While not everyone is able to participate in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, we can all celebrate the joy of Easter.
One of the rituals that is so characteristic of and associated with the Easter Sunday liturgy in the United States is the Renewal of Baptismal Promises. It is valuable, I believe, to think about these promises as we celebrate the Lord’s victory over sin and death.
As we know Easter has become for some, more of a cultural celebration than a significant celebration of faith. Many come to Mass who do not otherwise make themselves present to the Church. Yet, a consideration of the promises that we renew on Easter is an opportunity to really reflect on what our Baptism means and how it should be lived out in our daily lives.
The renewal of Baptismal promises reaffirms our belief in God who is Father, Son and Spirit. We reaffirm our belief in the great mysteries of our faith: the Incarnation, the Passion, Death and Resurrection. This renewal is a reaffirmation of faith and should spur us into greater devotion and love for the Lord and the Church that He founded; even with all of the shortcomings and failings that we’ve seen.
In visiting the Holy Sites in the Holy Land, it has become more and more clear to me, that despite the failings of her leaders and ministers, Jesus intentionally gave us the Church. He knew that because we are so broken and prone to falling back into human weakness and sin, the sacraments which connect us directly to the things of heaven are our only hope of salvation. Thanks be to God!
As we celebrate Easter, please know that you are remembered in my prayers as well as the prayers of all of the priests and deacons of the parish and all of our collaborators. We wish you a truly Happy Easter!