Easter Message 2018

Cardinal Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, when asked about what directs
Pope Francis in his every day life, responded: “The Holy Father genuinely
believes not only that Jesus rose from the dead 2,000 years ago, but is risen,
active and alive in the world, leading the church today.” Pope Francis,
according to Cardinal Cupich, “sees his role as being attentive to all that
Jesus is doing and calling us to be in our time. It is his faith that Christ is
alive and active in the church that he is insisting on a new pastoral approach
for the church and its ministers.”

Ministry for Pope Francis follows the example of Christ, who accompanied
the disciples on the road to Emmaus, as they went their way. Through this
encounter, Jesus gradually revealed himself to them. This is why Pope
Francis according to Cardinal Cupich, “encourages us to walk with people
and get to know their situation, rather than applying, in a mechanical and
rigid way, general rules and principles to particular circumstances.”

Without a belief in the presence of the Risen Christ in our world today, and
without a faith in the mercy and grace of God for each of us, we can easily
fall, as Pope Francis writes, “into a defeatism which turns us into querulous
and disillusioned pessimists.” Pope Francis calls us to embrace the presence
of the Risen Christ, who is active and alive in my life right now, and not the
memory of an historical figure who lived along time ago. Jesus told his
followers, “where I am, there also will my servant be.” Where are we this
Easter Sunday, as a church, as a parish, and as followers of Jesus? May
Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness that surrounds us. Like the
disciples on the road to Emmaus, may our hearts burn within us as Jesus
accompanies us on the way, and may we recognize him in the breaking of
the bread this Easter Sunday and at every Eucharist.

A Blessed Easter to you and your families.

Fr. Gagne