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Easter 2022
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“Peace be with you.” (Jn 19:19)
In a world saddened by devastating images of lives lost, homes destroyed and families separated, Christ’s Easter greeting sounds quite contrary to the tenor of recent events. We strive for peace. We pray for peace. But, all too often, unjust aggression, acts of terrorism and even domestic violence mar modern life. Two thousand years later, the greeting, “Peace be with you” seems sadly far from fulfillment.
We must, however, remember the context of that first Easter Sunday. The disciples were gathered in secret behind locked doors for fear of those who had three days before connived, condemned and committed Christ to a violent and barbarous death. The Divine hands that reached out to the disciples in peace on Easter still bore the scars of the nails. His side still revealed the thrust of the lance that pierced the Sacred Heart. The scars were as present and real as were the disciples’ fears.
Easter didn’t erase the horror of Good Friday. It didn’t banish the oppressive presence of the occupying Romans or the hostility of some of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Easter came amidst those things, not after. But Easter and Christ’s Resurrection gave the disciples the hope - the certain hope - that earthly tyrants, invading armies, demonic powers and death would not have the last word. Those fearful forces can still inflict wounds, wreak destruction, cause division and death, but for the faithful followers of the Risen Christ, all those real and painful things will pass. Jesus didn’t promise Heaven on earth. But He did promise, and Easter does show, that the hell on earth that sin causes will be overcome. Wounds will heal, wrongs will be righted, death will give way to life and, in the end, goodness will triumph.
Until then, may Easter and the promise of the Resurrection enable us to face life’s trials, tragedies and losses with indomitable hope, dauntless courage and peace in our hearts even if that peace is still far from realized in our world.
With every prayerful best wish for a joyous Easter, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
Bishop of Worcester