resurrection, we no longer fear sin and we no longer fear death. Sin and death continue to attack us, but Jesus has overcome both sin and death. In Him, we can truly lead a life of virtue here on earth and after death dwell forever in heaven.

There are two aspects of the resurrection which need to be affirmed at this time. The first is that we must not remain passive in the wake of Christ’s resurrection. We must respond to the risen life of Christ. We must – each of us – have a transforming experience of the Risen Christ. Unless we do, Christ’s gift to us remains unaccepted on our part. There is no reason for this transforming experience to be as violent and lurching as the vision of the resurrected Christ which Saint Paul had. Most of us will be like Saint Peter. Through prayerful and liturgical experiences of Christ, we will increasingly understand who we are before Christ and give him our life. We will go from being weak, doubtful, inconsistent Peters to become like the Peter who said to the risen Jesus: “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

The second point about Easter which needs emphasis is this simple fact: We cannot experience the resurrection of Christ outside of the Church. It is as baptized and confirmed members of the Church that we pray to Jesus, that we listen to His word, and live out His teachings, preserved in the Church. It is in the Holy Eucharist and in the Easter Sacrament of Penance – experienced as members of the Church – that we meet the living, glorious Son of God. We cannot be “Jesus and me” Christians. Please note that when we recite the Creed at Sunday Mass, we profess faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Then we proceed to profess faith in the Church, because without membership in the Church, we cannot share in the power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot participate in the life of His Son, nor can we ever hope to see the Father in heaven. The Church is as essential to our faith as the life of the Trinity and the very resurrection of Christ.

Let this Easter season, with its beautiful prayers and scripture lessons, give us once again a searing and transforming experience of the Risen Jesus Christ. Let us deepen our commitment to membership in the Church, as we observe the newly baptized in our midst seek from us the witness to the faith which we promised at our Confirmation. Let us remember that the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is a foretaste and promise of risen glory in heaven. 

A blessed Easter to you all!  

Sincerely in Our Lord,                                     

Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D.
Bishop of Scranton