Bishop Kevin J. Farrell
Publisher of The Texas Catholic
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. (Ps 118:24)
Ecclesiastes tells us that everything has its time. Easter is the time of joy and celebration. It is resurrection time, and all creation seems to join in the celebration. Winter’s darkness surrenders to spring’s sunshine and soft days. Jonquils and tulips burst from the ground and green-up begins.
This year is especially joyful because God has given us a new leader, Pope Francis. Pundits are still seeking an explanation for his election “out of the blue.” For those of us who believe, no explanation is necessary; for others, no explanation is possible. The Holy Spirit blows where it will.
As we emerge from the Lenten penitence into Easter joy let us keep in mind that the real message of Easter is that we are reconciled to the Father through Jesus’ loving sacrifice.
Just as he was impelled by the Father’s love to take on human nature to reconcile us, Jesus’ love should impel us to be reconciled to others.
Forgiveness and healing are not only received, they are given. The church cannot be the reconciling community it is called to be if it is not a loving community. The fruit of the resurrection is not condemnation but forgiveness.
We must all practice discipleship by becoming reconcilers—within our families, within our church and within our society.
I pray that each of you and that our church will be infused with the Holy Joy of the Resurrection and become joyful heralds of the Good News of the Gospel.
I wish you all a blessed and joyous Easter!
Bishop Kevin J. Farrell is the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Dallas. His blog may be found at bishopkevinfarrell.org and you can follow him on Twitter@Bishop_Farrell.
