Christ is Risen, Alleluia

Dear Friends,

With much joy we celebrate the victorious new life that comes to us from Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Christ’s dying on the cross, we have the ultimate expression of God’s infinite love and mercy: the Son’s total giving of himself for our salvation. In Jesus’ rising from the dead, we experience God’s absolute triumph over human sin and death.

In the Easter mystery, God reveals himself as the Father who powerfully raises the Son from the dead. He reveals himself as the loving Son who, in our name, abandons himself completely to the will of the Father: “Into your hands, I commend my spirit.” He reveals himself as the Holy Spirit who breathes new life into us at Easter: “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Yet, if God reveals himself to us, he also reveals us to ourselves. We can truly rejoice this Easter because we have walked and lived with Jesus during Lent. Along the way, our penance and prayer have helped to purify us and opened us further to God’s grace. We have been cleansed of our sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the gift to us of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders. On Good Friday, we live intensely with Jesus his passion and death on the cross. At the Easter Vigil, countless catechumens and candidates are received into the fullness of the sacramental life of the Church. On Easter, we all renew our baptismal victory of new life in Christ. And throughout the Easter season, we bask in the joy and hope of new promise.

Indeed, Jesus Christ is risen—and we have risen with him. Alleluia! A blessed Easter to you all.

Sincerely in the Risen Lord,

WILLIAM K. WEIGAND
Bishop of Sacramento

RICHARD J. GARCIA
Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento

Copyright © 2001 Diocese of Sacramento - All Rights Reserved

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