Dear Friends in Christ:

Nothing surpasses the Church’s joy at Easter. In the Easter Sequence we exclaim: “Christians, to the Paschal Victim offer your thankful praises!...Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: the Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal...Yes, Christ my hope is arisen...our new life obtaining...Alleluia.”

Jesus, our Prince of life has truly conquered death, praise God! He is risen. But the victorious “new life” is shared with us. That is why we offer “thankful praises.” Jesus is our “hope...our new life obtaining,” and we can dare to expect to truly come alive. This new life is precisely what our hearts long for, though often unconsciously.

Our Easter joy is double, of course, because during Lent we have become more aware of our weaknesses and sinfulness–our human brokenness. It was precisely in the face of this condition that we struggled to meet Jesus, came to know once again his love and acceptance of us, as we are. We have come to savor God’s goodness and mercy. We have come to a renewed appreciation of the awesome share in the Divine life that is ours through baptism into Christ. As St. Paul explains: “You were dead because of your sins and offenses...But God is rich in mercy; because of his great love for us he brought us to life with Christ.” (Eph. 2:1-4)

“This is not your own doing, it is God’s gift.” (Eph. 2:8) God’s Easter gift makes us a new creation. The new life is for “us who believe.” We have only to receive it; in faith, open up to it. In a sense, it is the Risen One who not only says to us, but also produces within us, a “HAPPY EASTER.” Let us receive it with open hearts.

A Blessed Easter to all of you!

Sincerely in the Risen Lord,

WILLIAM K. WEIGAND
Bishop of Sacramento

RICHARD J. GARCIA
Auxiliary Bishop

Copyright © 2001 Diocese of Sacramento - All Rights Reserved

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