Easter is Our Message of Hope
Dear Easter People, Alleluia!!!
Our Co-Cathedral community greets you with the joy and peace of Jesus Christ Risen! This is the foundation of our faith and belonging, and we extend in a special way our affection for all of you returning home for Easter and for our dear guests. As the Rector of the Co-Cathedral, I want to acknowledge the grace and beauty of our entire staff as they have worked tirelessly during this season to bring you the grace of celebrating Lent/Easter. Also, I want to acknowledge our volunteers, which includes hundreds of people who are so committed in their desire to enrich our way of service here in our Church and to reaching out near and far. Our Easter celebrations of the Resurrection of Jesus move forward for fifty days, and our hearts cry out in certainty, trusting that the tomb is empty. We as a people join centuries of believers announcing, proclaiming, and bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel, Jesus is Risen, and we shout out with our conviction by the way we follow.
The 2025 Jubilee, announced by Pope Francis, holds a motto of “Pilgrims of Hope”. The papal bull proclaiming the Jubilee announces: “Hope does not disappoint.” This phrase from St. Paul is very significant during this time of such confusion in the world, and so many realities bring us to our knees begging for hope. This is dramatically true in our world which includes our Nation. Indeed, holiness is possible today with many surprises and signs. One being the upcoming canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, on April 27th. There is a new film coming out entitled: “The Boy from Milan”. All the individuals shown in the film were greatly impacted by knowing Acutis personally, especially Arguello, his pediatric oncologist, who found strength in Acutis’ testimony when she herself received a cancer diagnosis. This reality captures the phrase of the Apostle Paul, “Hope does not disappoint.” People were amazed by how they lived differently and in a different relationship with God because of how Carlo had helped them turn toward God, a teenager full of hope. I encourage you to google his name and reflect on the miracle of his story and the truth of his “yes”.
Pope Francis was moved with the wisdom of the Risen Lord in choosing this focus of hope for the Jubilee Year. In a world filled with uncertainty, the message of hope remains relevant, offering a source of strength and resilience. The darkness around us is very strong, but we know with certainty that the Light of Jesus Risen is stronger, and we need to get on our knees and proclaim that Hope does not disappoint and beg for this truth in our hearts. Yes, we are fragile and vulnerable and often we can feel as if there is no place to go with intense drama of pain and disunity surrounding us. Indeed, if we are isolated, we can easily experience the depth of confusion and this points to our need for family, friends and the community that nurtures our existence. Stay close to a friend that generates hope in you as they proclaim Christ and are willing to walk the path with you.
During these Easter days open your heart to be loved by Christ, Risen. Often, we are preoccupied with a desire to love Jesus and this is important, of course, but an openness to receive the love of Christ is equally a need as He wants to enter our hearts. Stay open and available to the Mystery of Love here and now in all of our circumstances.
Our parish community needs one another as the love of God has been poured out into our hearts.