Easter...He is Risen

It is the Easter season. Indeed, Christ has risen from the dead and has won a great victory. Jesus is triumphant over evil, sin, and death. As a result of the paschal mystery; the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord, we too are brought to new life in this Easter season with the conclusion of Lent, and are promised to be raised on the last day. Spring is a time of renewal, refreshment, growth. It is a time where the dead trees and plants are brought to the blossoming of new life after a cold hard winter. In these days of Easter may each of us remember the promise of the cross and that Jesus death was only the beginning of the triumphant victory which would ensue on the third day. This past week I heard an important message from a priest who said, "You say you are a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict you if you were brought to court?" This is a very interesting thing to reflect upon. Yes, like the song goes they will know we are Christians by our love. In this Easter season not only must we continue to give of ourselves to others through the Love of Christ, but we must focus even more on forgiving our fellow brothers and sisters. We all fail and fall short of the glory of God at times, but thanks be to God who through the incarnation of His Son, came to Save the world from sin and death and has brought us forth to new life. This new Life is a promise and gift to all who are willing to accept it. With it comes a challenge and life this way, walking in the light is not easy. However, by listening to God and his plan for us, which he reveals through our participation in the sacraments and our daily encounters with those around us we will be able to fully blossom into who we are created to be. It is through the forgiveness of others where we can bridge gaps that have caused anomosity and hardship in our human relationships. It is not always easy to forgive, but it must be done and not only that but we must also try our best to forget and move on. Life is too short to hold grudges and allow things to impact our lives and our relationships on the long term. In this Easter season, the Church urges us to embrace the new life that has been given to us through Christ's rising from the grave. It is the Church's hope that we were able to reform some of our old and bad habits during lent and have been able to start afresh, like the season of Spring. As Christians it is important to remember always who we represent and what our cause is during our lifetime. Jesus tells us during this time that "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me in I in them will bear much fruit. For without me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Let us remember that Jesus produces this good fruit in us when we trust in him and love not only our neighbors but our enemies as well. He is the risen Lord, he is the one who who will come again. Will you have enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian? Therefore, I urge you to live life to the fullest, enjoy each day, embrace challenges, love in all that you do, be grateful, and forgive. This is the way of the Cross, this is the way of the Christ. The way of the anointed one. It is not about being a nice person, but about being Holy. This Easter season is a great time for us to reflect and evaluate where we are at and to strive to be holy. For if we stay close to the vine, we are sure to produce good fruit in this world and be called Good and Faithful Servant when we rise to Eternal Life.