My Dear People: I wish you the Peace of the Risen Lord! The first words of Jesus to His apostles after His Resurrection were: “Peace be with you!” And I ask the Lord Jesus to bestow upon everyone in the Diocese of Scranton all of His love, His joy, and His peace. Holy days like Christmas and Easter have an authentic meaning, based upon an event in the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. But over the centuries, the world has attached its own meaning to these days, one which is purely commercial, which distorts the original significance, and which can blot out the original meaning entirely.

It is tragic indeed if we Catholics regard Easter Sunday as centered on rabbits, certain pastel colors, and fashion parades. What an impoverishment of the true meaning of Easter!

Let me explain why. First of all, let us take a good look at human nature. What troubles us the most? What are our most basic fears? There are many answers, but the most fundamental answer is that we are afraid that we will be overwhelmed by sin and we are even more frightened by death. Sin and death – these are our worst human nightmares.

In designing His plan of salvation, God directs His saving grace precisely at these two basic human fears. Jesus overcomes sin. He does not succumb to it. He brings to bear the power of His divinity on our humanity. Unlike Adam, He triumphs over the devil’s temptations. He does not fall before it. Furthermore, Jesus takes on death and the devil in a stupendous battle on the Cross. But did Jesus win that battle? Easter Sunday is God’s resounding “Yes” to our question.

We may continue to fall into sin, but through the Sacrament of Penance given to us on the first Easter Sunday evening by the Risen Jesus, we can always overcome temptation and sin and start anew. We will all face natural death, but if we are faithful to Jesus Christ, we will pass from earthly life to heavenly life, for all eternity, with Jesus Christ. Therefore, there is nothing to fear!

How is Jesus’ victory made ours? Above all through the Holy Eucharist, the Lord’s great gift to us after we receive Baptism and Confirmation. By receiving the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass we actually enter into His victorious sacrifice on the Cross and His glorious triumph in the Resurrection. Easter Sunday is not solely a celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. It is the celebration of our victory in Him over sin and death!

I can never fully understand why we are not absolutely stupefied by this mystery of God’s love for us in the Eucharist. Our Holy Father, in proclaiming this year the Year of the Eucharist, has specifically requested that we restore “awe” to our demeanor before the gift of the Holy Eucharist. This means that we ought to visit Jesus frequently in the tabernacle or (even better) exposed on our altars. We need to let Him penetrate our hearts and souls more deeply with the gift of awe and understanding. We must learn to prepare better for Mass by the frequent reception of Confession, by reflecting on the Scripture readings, and by the recitation of the Rosary, since no one knows more about Jesus’ love for us than His and our Blessed Mother. If we can accomplish these goals, we will gain the necessary “awe” which we owe to our victorious Savior in the Eucharist.

May our participation in the Eucharist during the Easter season of the Year of the Eucharist be truly different: deeper, more open to conversion, more grateful and joyful. We will become more impatient than ever with the trivialities of worldly celebrations. We will know the true Peace of the Risen Savior.

May God bless you all.

Sincerely in Our Lord,