From Our Pastor: Easter Sunday
Christos Anesti! (Christ is Risen!) Alithos Anesti! (Truly, He is Risen!) This is the common Greek greeting on Easter between two people. One announces, “Christ is Risen” and the other person responds, “Truly, He is Risen!” What great news this is, which is why we rejoice and sing Alleluia. This great word of praise to God who has saved us! In Christ’s resurrection we have redemption and grace poured forth. In His resurrection, He leads us to where we all long to be! Eternally raised in the resurrection! Our heavenly experience, because of the resurrection, is not just one of the spirit, but one of the resurrected and perfected body! No more pain! No more disease! No more suffering! No more tears! No more death! Christ experienced all to conquer all!
We uncover the statues after these last two weeks of the season of Passiontide. They weren’t covered because they needed a nap. They were covered to veil our focus on heaven and the saints and angels and heavenly realm, to focus on the passion, crucifixion, and death. To focus on the cross and Christ’s suffering, we cover the heavenly reminders. That is until this Easter Sunday when the resurrection and the heavenly realities are made present in Christ risen from the dead, calling all of us to be those saints here so we may be those saints reigning eternally with Him! So, we sing Alleluia!
The triduum and Easter liturgies are so beautiful and moving, especially gathered here at St. Francis! It is such a privilege and joy to be your pastor. It is surreal that it is almost three years here already! We have accomplished so much together in the Lord, but we have so much more work to do!
Go and announce the joy of the Easter message to a world in darkness and sorrow and pain! Announce the light of Christ and the excitement of the resurrection! Announce to all you encounter of what the risen Christ has done in you and continues to do in you! Announce the good news of what Jesus is doing here at St. Francis Solanus! It is such a joy to tell people all of the exciting things happening here in God’s grace! Don’t keep it to yourself but go and tell everyone just as Mary Magdalen went to tell the apostles! Then run with those people you tell this good news to, back to the tomb to show them the joy of the resurrection they can not only experience but receive here in the Eucharist! Run back with them and Peter and John and the other apostles to see that Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!
So, on behalf of myself, Fr. Rafal Pyrchla, Deacon Wayne Zimmerman, Deacon Dennis Holbrook, and all of the parish and school staff, Happy Easter to you, OUR family! Happy Easter to your families and all you love! May the joy of this day resonate in your time together celebrating the resurrection. To those of you visiting, always know you have a home in this wonderful parish! Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen! Alleluia!
-Rev. Steven Arisman