A Letter From Our Pastor: The Power of Resurrection and the True Newness of Life

My dear sisters and brothers,

This month our Lenten journey culminates with the great Paschal Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. The 40 days of Lent have prepared us to celebrate the great feast of Easter.

Many associate the Easter season with springtime, a time of new life and new beginnings. Just look around. Flowers are blooming, trees are budding forth, the days are longer and the birds are singing. Sacred Scripture addresses this “newness” in many different ways. “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

This idea of being “new” is important to us as Catholics and it is important to our parish. We need to strive to be made “new” on a regular basis, even on a daily basis. Think of the fact that all was once new.

In these final days of Lent, as we prepare for the Easter season, it is good for us to reflect on this idea of being “new.” Being “new” means conversion, a change of heart mind and soul. Conversion is at the heart of a life of stewardship.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it, “The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his resurrection, he opens for us the way to a new life” (654).

In other words, Christ’s resurrection is the source of our new life and our future resurrection. As St. Paul writes in Romans 6:5, “For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.”

Hope for a new life beginning now and extending on into heaven is the result of Jesus’ resurrection. It is not simply wishful thinking. What greater grounds for thanksgiving can there be than this Easter hope? Should we not sing with joy about God’s promise to us, “Behold, I make all things new.”

St. Paul writes in his letter to the Colossians 3:1-2, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” Jesus’ resurrection as promise of a new life for us means that we need to live in conformity with our status as adopted children of God.

It is good for us to reflect on how we show our joy and our gratitude to God for this amazing gift that God has given to us. Do we thank God daily in personal prayer, prayer with our spouse and our family? Do we thank God by sharing the good news of our faith with others? Do we thank God by inviting others who have yet to return to Mass to join us? Do we offer back to the Lord a portion of the time, talent, and treasure that God has entrusted to us? The Easter message that we share in the benefits of Christ’s resurrection that indeed make all things new is the ultimate foundation of all Christian stewardship. In these last moments of our Lenten season, let us strive to prepare our hearts for the glorious Easter message through our prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Let us be generous in sharing with our parish a portion of all that God has given to us.

May the power of resurrection, the true newness of life this spring and this Easter season fill your hearts to overflowing.

In Christ, through the intercession of Blessed Pier Giorgio, I love you.

Fr. Jim

Fr. Jim