New Creation Now
Easter Sunday
Dear Saints,
First, a recap of important announcements:
Bishop Serratelli has invited us to place electric candles or lights outside of our homes or in our windows when the sun goes down tonight. This sign of faith honors Jesus whose resurrection is the dawning of God's new creation, which scatters the world's darkness.
Be sure to check out our Mission Hub for updates as we go. It really is a one-stop shop for us these days.
And now, the Feast at hand:
I won't give away the whole of my Easter Message, which should go out tomorrow on robocall, but I want to offer a thought before we turn to technical details.
What we see in Jesus' resurrection is the birth of new creation. "The power that has tyrannized the old creation," offers my friend, NT Wright, "has been broken, defeated, overthrown. God's kingdom is now launched, and launched in power and glory, on earth as in heaven."
Power and glory, indeed! Take a look at the image below from the Shroud of Turin, formed by the sheer energy at work in Jesus' resurrection:
The face impression from the Shroud of Turin (on the right, a digital mapping of the image).
The old creation, marred by the corrupting power of sin and death, lives by pride and retribution. But now, Jesus has opened up a new world, and made possible a new way to live (a way that was always intended by our creator God in whose image and likeness we are made): a way of love and reconciliation, a way of mercy, healing, and hope.
Love has defeated death. Love is now on the march to renew the face of the earth.
We live into God's new creation by entrusting ourselves to Jesus. Especially in these challenging times, we make this way of life our own when we - through him, and with him, and in him - live the way of self-giving love all the way to the end!
On our Easter observances this weekend:
We're ready to roll with the Easter Vigil (8:00pm - livestream), and excitement is building here towards tonight's Mass. Our Branch Sunday escapade scored us some champagne - thank you, Fern! - so we are prepared to celebrate well. Join us!
Tonight's Mass is rightly called the Mother of all Vigils for its powerful proclamation and faithful commemoration of Jesus' resurrection. The usually two-hour Mass is somewhat pared down this year, but it won't be lacking in power.
Our church-in-exile Mass schedule continues this weekend: You can catch the live-stream celebration at 8:00am, or on tape any time thereafter. Everything you need can be found at our mission hub.
Jesus is risen, my friends. He is the Lord of our lives. Let us trustingly follow him to fullness of life - fullness of love - today!
In the Peace of the Risen Christ,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ
PS Check out this brief essay of mine on the Resurrection and its meaning (on our parish's blog), and let me know what you think!
Preparing for Mass?
Check out this weekend's readings:
The Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday
Perugino: The Resurrection, 1502