“Truly, He is Risen!”
By Father Frank Hernandez
Happy Easter! Some of you may be wondering why Fr. Frank is saying Happy Easter; Easter was a few weeks ago. Yes, Easter was a few weeks ago, but as a church Easter is not only a day, but an entire season. It is a time for us to meditate and see how Jesus’ resurrection affects us in our daily lives. Understanding the Easter celebration takes more than one day. The Easter season is 7 weeks long and includes the celebrations of the Ascension of Jesus to heaven and ends with the great feast of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit comes to the apostles to preach Jesus to the world. During this season we hear the different gospel’s story of the resurrection of Jesus, which helps us understand the eternal life Jesus has given to each one of us.
We are people of the resurrection, people who have been taught of the Risen Christ. It has been handed down through these last 2021. First the apostles, then our family, friends, teachers and leaders of faith and we are called to preach Jesus to others in our daily lives. To speak and share that Jesus has truly risen from the dead and has given us the greatest gift, eternal life; where we are able to return and be in the presence and glory of God the father again. A life that was lost through Original Sin by Adam and Eve which only Jesus’ death is able to be cleaned from this and all sins.
But, I think we feel like the disciples in the gospels; afraid, confused and unsure of that resurrection of Jesus. Like in the gospel of John, “the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews (John 20:19).” We can act that way too. Closing our hearts to the Lord, having doubt in our lives of who Jesus is for us and the personal relationship. Also, the COIVD pandemic has made this real for us since we did have to lock ourselves at home for the safety of all and there is a small hint of fear during all of this last year. Yet, Jesus still wants to give us His peace and reassure us just like the disciples that everything is okay if we trust and have faith in Him.
Being a human being is hard, all the emotions, struggles, joys and challenges we face, but also being a person of faith is difficult. Trusting the Lord hears our prayers and is taking care of us. This season of Easter is meant to remind us that Jesus has given us a new life, a life where we share His glory forever. May we trust in Him more in our daily lives and believe that He has risen to help us return to God our Father. May this Easter inspire us to do good and help others prepare for their eternal life also. God bless always.
