Living Easter

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.  John 16:33
 
During the Easter season, we celebrate the truth of the living Christ. With perfect love, Jesus assured us before his crucifixion that death would not be the end for him or for us. In celebrating Easter, we rejoice that Jesus Christ lives—and we with him, not only then, but now; not just for some, but for all. Jesus came and comes to heal the brokenhearted, deliver the captives, recover sight to the blind, and set at liberty those who are bruised (see Luke 4:18). That’s each of us. His redeeming promises apply, no matter our past, our present, or concerns for our future. It is by the truth of his promise and through the truth of his resurrection that we cry “Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9).
 
The word Hosanna means “save now.” While we use the term weekly in our Eucharistic service, it is especially vivid and meaningful in Eastertide as the very realization of a promise made by Christ—and before Christ—has come true, as promised, on Easter morn. “Hosanna!” We make this our cry as we embrace our salvation in He who is life and light. And we cry Hallelujah (“praise ye the Lord”), for we recognize that Jesus came to pay a debt He didn’t owe because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay. “Living Easter” is really just living; living into the truth of a life given for and given up so that we might truly live—every moment.
 
Hosanna! Halleluia! (And Happy Easter)
Fr. Bill+