“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here. He has been raised!” (Luke 24:1-2)

As we celebrate the great joy of Easter, the words above are worth pondering. They are very powerful words that remind us that the Risen Jesus lives in our world. Jesus is not confined to time and space. Rather Jesus lives in each one of us. He is among the living!

In the resurrection narrative, the women who went to the tomb early in the morning were filled with sadness and fear. They had no idea they were about to witness The Resurrected Christ!

We, too, live in a very precarious world, though we try to keep on living the best way we can. There’s no denying that the on-going pandemic and threat of a global war oftentimes cloud our future with uncertainties. Uncertainties tinged with sadness and fear. Our faith story says we have the Risen Lord – our Savior, but now we wonder…. where might He be?

The women who went to the tomb, the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, the disciples who were gathered in the upper room on that first Easter night – none of them could recognize the Risen Jesus because they were not only filled with, but also blinded by fear. It was only when they opened their ears, minds, and hearts that they became aware of Christ’s presence.

Easter reminds us that the Risen Jesus becomes even more present and alive when we reach out to one another; when we welcome and accept someone who has been estranged from us; when we enter into meaningful dialogue; when we forgive; when we love; when we put down the barriers that divide us; when we begin to try to understand and respect each other’s differences; when there is healing, reconciliation, and unity. Christ indeed was not found among the dead. He is Risen! He is in us, in our lives, in our words, in our actions – and that’s the joy of being Resurrected with Christ!

On behalf of Fr. Edgar and the parish staff, Mr. Vohs, Mrs. Coulter and the school staff, I wish all of you a very happy, blessed, and hope-filled Easter!