Encountering the Risen Christ

As we enter the Season of Easter, we are celebrating the Risen Christ and all that means for our faith. We are encountering the Risen Christ in our daily lives, in our scripture and in our tradition. We are seeking him always.

Our Easter liturgy reads from the Gospel of Matthew:
"Then the angel said to the women in reply, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.'"

For people who grew up in the Papacy of Pope John Paul II the phrase "Do not be afraid!" remains etched in our memory as his constant call to the Church, especially the youth of the Church. It is on my Facebook page for everyone who reads it to see, "Do not be afraid of Christ. Open wide the doors to Christ."

As we enter Easter, we are living in the reality of the Resurrection and hear a call to seek the Risen Christ. That we ought not be afraid of the Resurrections, but seek Jesus Christ in His glory and open the doors of our hearts to Him. As we also conclude our Easter Octave, we celebrate the Mercy of Christ on Divine Mercy Sunday and the Beatification of Pope John Paul II, the Pope who frequently reminded us to not be afraid, but rather run toward Christ and open our hearts to his love and mercy.

Everyday we create opportunities for our youth to experience the love of Christ, to open their hearts and the doors of their lives to the Risen Christ. We are usually good about creating that same space in our own lives as well, but sometimes need support to make this our priority. This Easter Season, what will we do to seek Christ? How do we open our hearts and our lives to Christ and how do we celebrate His Divine Mercy?

We in the office assure you of our prayers for you and your ministry and ask likewise as we enter into final preparations for many summer programs, including One Week, Summer Camp, World Youth Day, Ascend and Camp 4:12. We would also invite you if you have special intentions you would like prayed for, to please send those to us so we can include them in our daily prayers.

In Christ,

Bridget Harris