Easter 2005

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 3/24/05)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Christ,

This year, the celebration of the Paschal Mystery — Our Blessed Lord’s Suffering, Dying and Rising to new and unending life — occurs within the context of the Year of the Eucharist (October 2004 - October 2005). In his Apostolic Letter Mane Nobiscum Domine, our Holy Father invites us to observe this year of unique graces in a variety of ways.

On this Solemnity of Easter and throughout the fifty days of special Easter joy, the following words from Pope John Paul II have an enduring significance and meaning for us, the disciples of the Crucified yet Risen Lord Jesus. "The two disciples of Emmaus, upon recognizing the Lord, ‘set out immediately’ (cf. Lk 24: 33), in order to report what they had seen and heard. Once we have truly met the Risen One by partaking of his body and blood, we cannot keep to ourselves the joy we have experienced. The encounter with Christ, constantly intensified and deepened in the Eucharist, issues in the Church and in every Christian an urgent summons to testimony and evangelization" (No. 24).

Having been purified and strengthened by our Lenten retreat through prayer, penance and deeds of mercy, we are renewing our baptismal promises in the Easter Mass and are being made one with the Risen Lord Jesus by partaking of His Body and Blood.

Now, we must go to our brothers and sisters to testify before them to the new and lasting hope of which Jesus is the source by His victory over sin and eternal death. We must evangelize by proclaiming "Jesus as Lord" and His Gospel of Life as the fundamental reason for respecting every human life, from conception to natural death. Indeed, in all we think, say and do each day, we must continually point to the Crucified yet Risen Jesus as "the Way, the Truth and the Life," and invite everyone to come to Him, their Savior and Lord.

On this Easter and throughout the Easter season, I am praying for each of you, especially in the daily celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, where we meet the Lord in such a unique way and experience inner peace, hope and joy in His Real Presence.

Faithfully in Christ,

Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde

Bishop of Arlington

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