The Blessings of Easter

“See I make all things new.” (Rv. 21:5)

A Story for our Times

As we live through fear and uncertainty these days, I rediscover more and more the blessings of Easter.

Easter did not just appear or come out of the blue. It was not just a date on the calendar. For the friends and followers of Jesus, Easter came out of years of accompanying Jesus through daily living – the lessons taught, the healings of people, the meals shared, the challenges of wondering who Jesus really was.

These close friends of Jesus really believed in him as the One who had come to bring peace to their land and freedom from their oppression.

But…Jesus was arrested, tortured and crucified by the Roman authorities. Most of his friends scattered, afraid for their own lives. A few stayed at the Cross. All were heartbroken, filled with fear and uncertainty.

But morning broke, as it always does. Jesus’ life did not end in failure, in death, but in resurrection, in new life. His appearances to the disciples after his resurrection showed them that he remained a living, personal presence among them. In this they celebrated the triumph of hope over despair, of peace over conflict, of life over death… forever….Jesus showed them another way, a better way. This legacy is handed on to us. 

Today we are called to know and to embrace the living, personal presence of the Christ among us.  The gifts of peace and forgiveness, joy and love are the Blessings of Easter. They are ours to hold close to our hearts, to ponder and to live in our daily lives. So:

Let us be a grateful people for all that we have and all that we are. For all is gift.  

Let us be a forgiving people, as we are continually forgiven by God.

Let us be a joy-filled people, smiling lovingly upon neighbors near and far.

Let us be a peace-filled people, giving one another the benefit of the doubt

As we celebrate the Blessings of Easter may we become more and more the living legacy of Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love of the Christ present in us, present in our world today.

Truly then, we can ‘make all things new.’

Happy Easter.

 Sr. Patricia Torre, DW