Happy Easter!

Slava Icycy Xhresty! Glory Be to Jesus Christ!

The predictable pattern of our liturgical year is leading us into the most holy season of the Triduum—the sacred time in which we commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Things were not quite as predictable for the apostles after they ate the Passover meal with Jesus. Things did not go quite the way they expected.

Even on that first Easter morn, when Peter and John ran to the tomb, they unexpectedly found the stone rolled away and linen wrappings just lying there. Then they went home. Imagine their confusion.

We too face many unpredictable, unexpected events in our lives. How do you respond? Do you try to hide? Freeze with anxiety? Get frustrated? Curse in anger? Fall into despair?

Or do you respond with confidence in the eternal grace and mercy of God? Trust in his love for you? Surrender and let God’s peace fill you? 

The resurrection we celebrate at Easter is our hope. It exceeds our expectations. It is God’s definitive victory over sin and death. It is what gives us the ability to accept the unexpected. 

During this Jubilee Year of Hope, let us not stand at the mouth of the empty tomb wondering why the linen wrappings are lying there. Let us go into the garden as Mary did, into the world, so we can meet the risen Jesus and announce him to the world.

Xhrystoc Voskres! Christ is risen!

May you and yours be blessed beyond expectation this Easter season.