Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
We see around us so much evil. Our world shakes with war, violence and death. We see a coarsening in our political and religious dialogue, a disheartening cultural decline, a lowering of our standards of decency. We see corruption by those entrusted with political and legislative power, a distressing disrespect for human life, and a callous neglect of our sisters and brothers in need.
In all of this, however, we never despair, because Jesus’ resurrection is the definitive triumph over sin and death. This victory was not accomplished through political power or military might, but through an unsurpassed, divine love. In God’s plan, goodness always overcomes evil. Jesus’ Easter resurrection is the pivotal event of human history because our entire world and our fallen human nature are redeemed and restored.
As Saint Paul reminds us, “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold new things have come.” (2 Cor 5:17) Through the paschal mystery of Jesus’ suffering, dying and rising, we are no longer captive to sin, our relationship with God is restored, and we are reborn and given access to the divine life. Indeed, the resurrection of Jesus validates His redemptive and transforming sacrifice on the cross and gives us hope in our own resurrection.
Since Jesus’ suffering, dying and rising has produced a new order and a new way of life, what does this new way of life entail? Pope Benedict XVI says, “When we say Yes to Jesus, we do not merely choose ideas but put our life in his hands and become a new creation.” We, then, are not passive observers in a distant, mystical, cosmic event. Rather, God’s renewal of creation involves us, intimately. As redeemed Christian men and women, we participate in this renewal of creation through God’s grace by placing our trust in Jesus, by loving as Jesus loves and by forgiving as He forgives.
This goes beyond mere imitation, since, as Saint Paul tells us, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20) Of course, in order for this to occur, we must let go of those things that prevent Jesus from finding a place in our hearts. We must let go of our pride, our preconceived notions, our ingrained habits and ways of doing things. Really, we must die to self if we are to have new life and have it abundantly. Sometimes, even the things we cherish or cling to most tenaciously must die if we are to experience this new life. As Jesus said on the eve of his suffering on that first Good Friday, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat, but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (Jn 12:24-25)
This is difficult for all of us because, if we make room for Jesus and invite him to live in us, we know that we can no longer live just for ourselves. We can no longer, when confronted with choices and divergent paths, simply ask, “What’s in it for me?” or “How will I benefit?” With Jesus living in us, our outlook must undergo fundamental change. Our concern for ourselves must give way to a concern for the common good, but most especially for the poorest and most vulnerable among us.
As an Easter people, we now live for Jesus and for all of our sisters and brothers. This must be true in our families, in our communities, in our world and in our Church. In a reflection penned by theologian Karl Rahner shortly before his death, he wrote:
This Easter, we pray that we may be given the grace to break out of the isolation and despair that keep us from joyfully experiencing new life. As we invite Jesus into our hearts, may our own lives give evidence of this wonderful divine indwelling so that people will say of us, as they did of the early Christians, “See how they love one another!”
May the Risen Christ fill you with peace, healing and joy.
Fraternally, Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D.
Bishop of Camden