April 12, 2020 - Easter Message

My Beloved Parishioners and Friends,
(click here for video message)

Happy Easter? It almost seems disrespectful to be joyful now. Yes, this Easter does not seem as joyful and happy as we are used to. Being in lockdown and isolation is putting a damper on the joyfulness of this most important day of our liturgical year. However, we shall still rejoice and REJOICE and REJOICE! 

Jesus is Risen, He is truly Risen INDEED! This message is needed for us and our world today more than ever. Jesus has conquered sickness, death, and all that causes us discouragement and dismay and threatens to lead us to despair. We, as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, are called especially now to rejoice! It seems odd and perhaps even callous to be rejoicing in a time when many people are sick, suffering and dying, and those taking care of them are overworked, stressed, and becoming discouraged. And we are to be joyful, celebrate, and rejoice? I know it sounds odd and may feel wrong, but our rejoicing is exactly what we and our world needs! 

We are not rejoicing in the suffering, sickness and death of this world; we are rejoicing because this suffering, sickness and death have already been conquered and we are all invited to share in a glorious, new and resurrected life with our Savior Jesus Christ! This day reminds us that this tragedy will end! Reflect back with me on the Gospel account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus tells Martha that Lazarus will rise, and her response is yes I know that he will rise on the last day, at the final resurrection, the eternal Easter. Jesus acknowledges her faith and this truth, but He also wants to restore us even now, in this life, as He does for Lazarus. 

Through the compassion, love and care of medical workers, firefighters and first responders, many people will be saved from death and restored to life now. The pandemic will end...life in this world will be restored for us...and more importantly, we are reminded that even for those who have died, a glorious resurrection to eternal life awaits for those who love God! Our faithfulness and joy will be a reminder to our world of this truth! Death does not have the final say. Coronavirus can wreak havoc on all of our activities in this world, but cannot conquer us or destroy our faith, love and joy that come from Jesus Christ. 

So, yes, yes, please rejoice! Our world needs our rejoicing to remind everyone that this too shall pass, because nothing - not suffering, not sickness, not death, nor even a coronavirus pandemic can prevent our Easter joy from coming!

So Yes, indeed, Happy Easter! 
                            Father Dallas