EASTER IN A TIME OF CRISES

10
Apr
easter-crosses-stone-burial-mound

EASTER IN A TIME OF CRISES

Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is the crowning truth of our faith. Christ’s Resurrection is the fulfillment of prophecies and promises of the Old Testament and foundation and core belief of the New Testament. The Paschal Mystery has two aspects: by his death he eliminates us from original sin and death; by his Resurrection he restores us to everlasting life:

“Death is swallowed up in his victory. Where O Death, is your victory? Where O Death Is your sting?”

I Corinthians 15:55

“If Christ had not been raised then our faith and our preaching is in vain and your faith is also in vain”

I Corinthians 15:14

Jesus taught that ultimately evil and death, even natural plagues and disasters are caused by Original Sin. Jesus, by his death and resurrection freed us from the effects of what sin produced; separation from God.

We live in an unprecedented time. As far as I know, there has never been a period where all public christian worship was banned throughout the whole world since the foundation of the Church’s two thousand year history; especially at Easter time!

An invisible enemy, a virus has sickened and killed thousands. But there other invisible enemies, more lethal, of a supernatural kind that is threatening to kill millions of souls.

Once all reference to God has been removed, it is not surprising that the true meaning of human life becomes distorted. It  reveals itself at the beginning of life through abortion, and at end of life through euthanasia; the “culture of death”.

“I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord,” no one comes to the father except through me.”

John 14:6

People search for health and “life” in many ways that keeps us separated from God: chasing the wind of temporary pleasures, piling up possessions of money and material things, trying to hide from the inevitable effects of aging and being anxious about every possible turn of events, seen and unseen.

easter-jesus-resurrected

“Come to me all who weary and are heavily labored, and I will give you rest….for my burden is easy and my yoke is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Empires, regimes, cultures, even the fall of entire civilizations have taken place throughout history. Those living in the Lord turn pain, illnesses, afflictions and fear of death into becoming fortified in this life and hopeful for the next. They know that the risen Christ shall dress them in glory for all eternity.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything be prayerful with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to the Lord.”

Paul (Philippians 4:6)
easter-second-coming-jesus-christ-rapture

As Knights of Columbus the Lord’s charity is in us and works through us. The good Christian is neither concerned with the vanities of time nor broken by its misfortunes. The virtuous man knows that his works transcends the here and now. We make use of sorrows and sufferings of this life growing in patient endurance and being charitable to our fellow man, and thereby glorify God.

This Easter, especially this Easter, let all us all work to bring everyone back to the Lord.


SK Wendell Jeanpierre, Lecturer
KofC Council 8157