A Blessed and Happy Easter to All!
Today, our Scriptures celebrate that “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.” This past week we have gathered and celebrated the Lord’s Supper, commemorated his passion, death, and burial, and today we celebrate his resurrection!
Today’s Gospel speaks of the distress that the disciples experienced and how in sorrow, they approached the tomb where Jesus had been buried. They were shocked when they did not find his body there and when he appears, they are afraid. Jesus’ resurrection is our hope that nothing will defeat us in our lives, even death.
Congratulations to those who became full members of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. What a great witness you have given us and how you have touched our lives by becoming one with us! May the Lord who calls each of us forth continue to confirm and strengthen your faith.
To all of you who are here at St. Francis Church today, we welcome you! Many are from out of town or visiting from another country. We are happy that you are celebrating this day with us. For our weekly parishioners, we have gone through another Lent and Holy Week and today’s joyful celebration gives us hope and strength to live out our Catholic, Christian vocations.
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.