EASTER GREETINGS!!

EASTER GREETINGS!!

If the tomb of Jesus had not been found empty, then his followers would have quickly scattered and abandoned their hope of changing the world. If you read the passage in Luke about the Lord’s appearance on the road to Emmaus, the unraveling of the Church was already beginning.

The resurrection of Jesus was the event foretold by prophets and foretold by Jesus himself. The disciples had difficulty understanding what “rising from the dead” would even mean. It took time, fifty days actually, for the risen Jesus to re-gather his church and teach her how to live the resurrection message.

And, this, briefly, in the message: God never meant for man to die. He created us to enjoy this eternal friendship. We were to be faithful companions and stewards of the earth. When we turned our backs on him, we brought corruption and death into creation. A rescue plan became necessary, and, thus, in the fullness of time, God sent his only son to redeem us (a biblical term that means, quite literally, to buy back) from death. In order to free us from eternal death, Jesus entered death itself, taking upon himself the weight of sin. (The Orthodox Christians often say, “Jesus trampled death by death”.) The resurrection was the divine action of the Father to complete the rescue, if you will.

Because of the resurrection, we, too, may hope to be raised up to eternal life. What the Father does for the Son, the Son will do for us. Therefore, Easter Sunday is a day of great hope. We welcome all who join us today to celebrate the gift of life. I hope that you and yours will be given true joy on this day. Please know that you have a faith home here with us. St. Eugene is, in my opinion, one of the most open and least pretentious parishes in the Archdiocese. We are non judgmental, diverse, and earnest in our desire to serve the Lord and our neighbor.

May God bless you!!