“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” Psalm 118:24
Truly, this is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice with me in celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life. There is no greater love than the sacrifice of the Cross. We are a blessed people.
As you celebrate Easter Sunday—at home or safely in the company of family and friends—remember that our calling as missioners is to share in the life of Christ and the promise of salvation. We know the past year has been challenging. But whatever our circumstance may be—rich in blessings or blessings tempered by hardship—be assured… We are exactly where we need to be to reach our destination in Christ.
How we accept and learn from every life experience is how we will complete the journey home to new life and our personal Easter. With God’s grace, we will use every moment God gives us to deepen our faith, and to find solace in scripture and the sacraments. As Easter celebrants, we have the conviction that life always overcomes death. We know that expressions of new life can come at any time, usually with some sacrifice, and sometimes when we least expect them. The Resurrection we celebrate today is our assurance that what we believe is so.
On this most sacred of holy days, I will remember you at a special Easter Sunday Mass to honor all of our missioners and co-missioners, our supporters and friends, and our prayer partners all over the world. You are among them. I will remember as well the richness of the Easter celebrations our Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers will offer today—beginning at dawn—in English, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Swahili, Nepalese, and more. The universality of our faith is reflected in the diversity of our faithful, the Kingdom of God on earth. Celebrating the Resurrection is our common language.
Friend, may the blessings of Easter provide light and life for the journey that will take you home one day into the radiant splendor of eternal life. That’s the promise of the Resurrection. Yes, let us rejoice and be glad.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.
Easter Sunday Reflection
April 4, 2021
O blessed dawn, O radiant light
that shattered the darkness of death
and scattered the shadows of sorrow!
Rise in our hearts with that same splendor
which greeting the mourning women
that first Easter morning.
Risen Savior! Grant us Your peace
a peace the world cannot give
and breathe on us Your Holy Spirit
to proclaim Your name and empower us
to be apostles of Your gospel to the world.
Lord, let Your Easter glory permeate
and penetrate every aspect of our life,
so that the Reign of God be established
in our hearts, in our homes,
in our lives and in our world.
Amen! Alleluia!
Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso
