The Feast of Easter, the Feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, is the central Feast of the Church. It is God’s definitive answer to death. Nothing is stronger nor more powerful than He. Through the Resurrection, God has conquered both sin and death.
Yet, at times, there seems no lack of despair or of hopelessness. Looking about, we cannot deny what we see: moral weakness, physical illness, natural disasters, conflict, hatred, paradox, contradiction, and war.
It seems that there is no end to this catalogue of vexing problems which seem to defy solutions.
We know, too, from the Gospel texts that following the Passion and death of Jesus Christ, the Apostles themselves went into hiding because they were anxious and afraid.
In our time, in response to all these difficulties, many people have turned in toward themselves; they have “withdrawn from daily life,” so to say. Others pretend that all is well and continue to maintain a selfish and narcissistic way of life.
Still, others have become angry, bitter, and cynical, assuming a cold indifference toward everyone and everything, caring only for themselves.
Sadly, among many young people, there has been a choice to participate in artificial and selfish behaviors, believing that this would relieve their anxiety and that they would find true happiness. However, the contrary is true. Young people who live this way discover only hopelessness and despair.
On the Feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, I ask all of you to believe and to understand that the only true and authentic answer to the most profound and difficult questions of life must always begin with the Risen Jesus Christ.
It is the Risen Jesus Christ and only He who makes us holy and wise. It is the Risen Jesus Christ who grants us peace. It is He who gives Himself to us in the Eucharist. He forgives us our sins in the Sacrament of Confession and speaks to us through the Sacred Scriptures and through His Church. It is He, The Risen Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life and He says to us what He said to the Apostles on the First Easter:
Peace be to you.
It is I.
Do not be afraid! (John 20: 19-31)
Amen.
Father John Healey, of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire, has served as a chaplain at Thomas More College for over three decades. During that time, he has administered sacraments, given wise counsel, and served as an example of joyful fidelity to the teachings of the Church and the person of Christ.
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