HOLY WEEK AND EASTER:

FROM DEATH TO LIFE

Dear Friends in Christ:

As a group of my clergy colleagues and I were studying the Easter Sunday lessons recently, one of my colleagues suggested that one of the reasons that the first witnesses of the Resurrection were frightened was because the Resurrection turned upside down all their ideas about death. No longer could they say, as we often do, “Nothing is sure but death and taxes.” Taxes might still be a sure thing, but death isn’t – Jesus, who was quite surely dead, refused to stay dead. And everything changed. And they were afraid.

I think we may have so domesticated Christ’s death and Resurrection that there is little danger that we will be afraid. But we need to stand in awe and holy fear before the reality of what God has done. The dead simply won’t stay dead. Death is no longer the last word. God has the last word and that word is life.

God invites us over and over again to make the journey from death to life. This is especially true in Holy Week as we walk from Palm Sunday, to Maundy Thursday, to Good Friday, to Easter Eve, and to Easter Day. At each step along the way, we are invited to let go of those attitudes of heart and mind that keep us from receiving the gift of abundant life. I have found that when I really participate in Holy Week, opening myself more fully to the reality of Christ’s Passion, my joy at Easter is deeper, richer. When I let go, as Jesus did, of my desire to be popular with the crowds, Easter joy is richer, deeper. When I am willing, as Jesus was, to become a servant, Easter joy is deeper, richer. When I learn to trust the Father, as Jesus did, Easter joy is richer, deeper. When I am willing, as Jesus was, to love even those who would hurt me, Easter joy is deeper, richer. And when I can simply let go, as Jesus did, Easter joy is richer, deeper, as I pass from death to life.

I invite you to share the journey of Holy Week with your sisters and brothers in this wonderful parish family and to experience the fullness of joy that is God’s Easter gift.

Your brother and priest,

Daniel