Christ is Risen! An Easter Message from Father Dan

Dear OLA Family, 

Christ is risen! Indeed, he is risen!

 For centuries, Christians throughout the world have been using this greeting and reply to celebrate the Easter season and Jesus’ triumph over sin and death. Upon encountering a fellow believer in church, in the store, on the street—wherever life might take them—one proclaims: “Christ is risen!”, while the other responds, “Indeed, he is risen!” (Christus surréxit! Surréxit vere! in Latin; Christos anesti! Alithos anesti! in Greek.)

The origin of this traditional Easter greeting is found in the Gospels themselves. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, we hear the angel say to the holy women who went to Jesus’ tomb early in the morning that first Easter Sunday: “He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.” (Mt. 28:6) In the Gospel of St. Luke, the two downcast travelers on the road to Emmaus return in haste to Jerusalem to hear the eleven apostles proclaim: “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” (Lk. 24:34)

It’s beautiful to imagine the joy that must have filled the hearts of Jesus’ disciples as they encountered him alive, him who they loved so dearly but had witnessed so brutally executed. Upon learning the good news, in a glorious instant their spirits must have surged from the depths of despair to the heights of exhilaration. Oh, the happiness of those who were the first to behold Jesus alive!

It is my prayer that we too, believers redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus, might experience this Easter a taste of that same joy as we celebrate Jesus’ triumph over the grave. His victory is our victory. Jesus died for love of us and promised that if we place our faith in him, we too will share in his resurrection. For us who believe, death longer marks the end but the doorway to life on high with God, the angels and the saints. What joy!

 The world around us will quickly forget Easter and move on to “the next thing.” As Catholic Christians, however, we’re invited to savor and celebrate for a full 50 days this saving event that stands at the center of human history. As we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, may a portion of the joy of those first Christians fill our hearts and voices as we greet one another: “Christ is risen!”, and then hear in return the happy response, “Indeed, he is risen!”

 On behalf of all the clergy and staff of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, School and Preschool, I wish you a very blessed Easter.

 Fr. Daniel P. Ketter, JCL

Pastor