Happy Easter! Jesus Christ is Risen, Alleluia!

He is risen, indeed, Alleluia!

Once again, I am asking you to focus on the neophytes and the new Catholics – Jesus, Bryan, Erik, Arianna, Jasmine and Cindy. They have been special to us and continue to be. If you did not get a chance to congratulate them on the reception of the Easter Sacraments, or write a note of encouragement to them, please do so. You can share some insight into your own faith life, or reveal to them how their journey encourages you and others in your faith life.

The “new year” that began with Easter (at least according to my feelings and wishes ☺), is such a great opportunity to continue the good disciplines and learnings of Lent. There are 96 days from Ash Wednesday to Pentecost Sunday. That period is more than one quarter of the year.

The Church is helping us to emphasize the most important parts of our faith lives. We are “Alleluia” people; we are a people of the Resurrection. Lent leads us to our identity in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ (we call these elements “the Pascal Mystery”). The season of Easter expresses our identity. We are not people of Lent, of suffering, of penitence. We are people of Easter, of triumph, forgiveness, reconciliation, new life – eternal life!

Expressing generosity in our relationships is a fundamental way to show Easter faith. Stop judging, condemning, and thinking the worst about others and their lives. Be generous! Just as others do not know the details and complications of our lives, we do not know theirs.

Our problems are not an excuse to misbehave, or to mistreat others. Our problems (sinfulness, psychological wounds, depression, illness, loneliness, etc.) are to be placed before God so that we may be healed and reconciled. We may need a priest, a doctor, a therapist, a spiritual companion, a 12-step sponsor, etc. to help us to confront our problems. That which will not help us, nor help others, is judgment and condemnation of others or our self.

Let us be known as a generous and welcoming community of faith. The neophytes and new Catholics, the prayer groups, the AA groups, the homeless and hungry, and many others give us a chance to share Easter faith. Let us do so with hopefulness and optimism.

Peace, Fr. Andy