“HE IS RISEN!” “HE IS TRULY RISEN.” This is a traditional greeting among many Christians at Easter time. For years I offered this greeting at every Mass at which I presided during the Easter season. As we observe Easter 2021, I offer you that same greeting.

Easter is a celebration and a challenge. It is a celebration of the resurrection of the Lord, his triumph over the powers of darkness and death, his promise that he would be with us all days until the end of time, his assurance given to Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and to all of us: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

Now here is the challenge. When Jesus promised us eternal life, he asked, “DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?” Our belief is challenged in a special way at every Easter Sunday Mass when we are invited to renew our baptismal promises: “Do you believe in Jesus….Do you believe in his resurrection?”

In particular, do you believe that he is with you today and always? Where and how do you experience his presence? I personally sense his presence through someone who asked me, “What can I do for you?” I sense his presence when a neighbor brings me some prepared meals (a way of breaking bread with me). I recently sensed his presence when my sister got me my vaccine appointment before her own appointment because she could sense my anxiety about the virus. I sense his presence in the medical personnel who sacrifice so much and often risk their own health to care for their Covid patients.

If you believe, how do you reveal your faith in the resurrection to others? How do people see the risen Lord in you? How do you profess faith, hope and love as you deal with illness and loss and conflict and struggles in your daily life? At the same time, how do you reach out with care and support to others in their need?

A Jesuit priest wrote about his visit to a brother Jesuit who was actively dying. “As I was about to leave, Tony asked for my blessing, and when I had finished, he said with enthusiasm, ‘You know, Phil, I can’t wait to see our loving God face to face.’ I have never forgotten his faith-filled excitement, nor could he have given me more reason to live in Easter hope.”

That, my friends, is what Easter is all about!

A BIT OF HUMOR: Words found on a liquid soap dispenser, “Wash your hands and say a prayer, because Jesus and germs are everywhere.”

Fr. Bill