Happy Easter sisters and brothers! Christ is Risen!!
“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you…As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” (Jn 20:19, 21)
On the very evening of Jesus’ resurrection, his desire was to be with his disciples, and his first words were “Peace be with you!” What love God has for us! What good things Jesus has in store, if only we would entrust our lives to him.
Jesus really died and rose from the dead, now almost 2000 years ago. He did this to destroy sin and death in our lives and give us a new, divine life. While we await the fullness of that life in heaven, this new life begins here and now! Think of that. We share in Jesus’ life now through faith, baptism and all the sacraments. Our destiny in God’s plan is for real peace and abundant life. How do we reach our destiny? Through being sent like Jesus. Our mission and purpose in this life is to do exactly what Jesus did, and share the Good News with the world.
Fr. Gary and I join you in rejoicing in the joy of Jesus, and pray that each of us would have our hearts open to His living, personal presence in our lives, so we might be freed from fear and sin and receive His peace anew. May we accept the grace Jesus won for us with gratitude and amazement, and live our lives as his resurrected people. In joy, may we answer Jesus’ mission to us, and go out to Grand Blanc and to the world, bringing Jesus and His new life through our words and actions to those who still sit in darkness and fear. There is no mission impossible here because nothing is impossible with God! (Lk 1:37)
May the risen Christ bless you and your family abundantly throughout the fifty days of this Easter Season.
Rejoice!
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Jonathan and Fr. Gary