Bishop's 2002 Easter Letter

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Special to the HERALD
(From the issue of 3/28/02)

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Easter is early this year! We gathered together only a short time ago to welcome the newborn infant, the Son of God and Son of Mary, the Savior of the World. Indeed, there is a striking similarity and a decided difference between Christmas and Easter. The messengers at both proclaim to us one united message: Be not afraid! (cf. Lk. 2:10; Mt. 28:5-7). Yet, there is a decided difference. With the event of Christmas, the promise of salvation has begun to be reality, while in the event of Easter, the promise of salvation has been completely fulfilled. The message of Christmas is "Do not be afraid, because the Savior has come," whereas the message of Easter is "Do not be afraid, because the Savior has triumphed."

Easter reminds us of this Good News. Christ has triumphed over the very things that seemed to triumph over Him, and in Him we can do the same. Today, we are surrounded by many troubling events. Our nation is being assaulted by evil. We are surrounded by terrorists attacks, war, abortion on demand, assisted suicide, scientific research that destroys a human embryo — a human person — to obtain its stem cells, human cloning initiatives, violence in our streets, loss of jobs, breakup of marriages, difficulties of old age, like loneliness and pain, and terminal illnesses.

Yet, this darkness is pierced by the Easter proclamation, the Exsultet, which sings out: "The power of this holy night dispels all evil, washes guilt away, restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy; it casts out hatred, brings us peace, and humbles earthly pride." Indeed, by His salvific and atoning death on the cross, and His rising on the third day, Christ has overcome the world. He has overcome all evil, sin and death!

On that first Easter, those initial followers of Jesus became changed persons; their discouragement was replaced by hope, their weakness and fear replaced by strength and courage. On this Easter, we too are being transformed, so that we become witnesses to one another, and to the world, of the new life and new hope that the Risen Jesus brings.

In his Apostolic Letter on the New Millennium, Pope John Paul II summoned us saying: "A new millennium is opening before the Church like a vast ocean upon which we shall venture, relying on the help of Christ. … At the beginning of this new century, our steps must quicken as we travel the highways of the world. … Every Sunday, the Risen Christ asks us to meet him as it were once more in the Upper Room where, on the evening of ‘the first day of the week’ (Jn 20:19) he appeared to his disciples in order to ‘breathe’ on them his life-giving Spirit and launch them on the great adventure of proclaiming the Gospel" (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 58).

As we rejoice this Easter in Christ’s victory over sin and death, our steps must indeed quicken to bring the saving message of Christ to others. Let us not be afraid to proclaim this message of hope to our world so much in need of it. Let us not be afraid to challenge the advance of evil, and let us not be afraid to be the saints of the new millennium!

May the Risen Christ bless each of you with His peace and joy. I am remembering each of you in my Easter Masses and prayers, and ask that you remember me in yours. A blessed Easter!

Faithfully in Christ, 

Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde

Bishop of Arlington

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