Easter 2016

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Alleluia! He is risen!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Alleluia! Here we are again, celebrating another blessed Lenten Season and Easter, together. Being here with you is truly my honor. As we pray, fast and give alms, we are reminded that we are one body in Christ.

Together, we celebrated Paczki Day or Fat Tuesday, delighting in sweet treats before starting our Lenten journeys. On Ash Wednesday, we asked our bosses if we could adjust our workdays, so we could celebrate Mass and receive our ashes. We promised ourselves and God that we would do more of some things, or less of others, in an effort to be more like Christ. While some of us have thrived, some of us have fallen short of our goals, and we feel as if we have failed.

Then, we remember that because of Christ, we have another chance. We have the sacrament of reconciliation – experiencing God’s forgiveness. He died and rose to give us life. In His Resurrection, we are offered an opportunity to rise with Him and begin anew.

This year, I’m reflecting on the ninth chapter of Matthew, where Jesus performed miracles and gave second chances to those who believed. From the paralytic, to the official’s daughter, to the blind men, they were all graced with fresh starts and new opportunities. They were given chances to live again.

Right now, we have the opportunity to rise and walk with Jesus. While we may fall down, we are elevated daily, through God’s Grace. We are ignited with the joy that as believers, we can overcome our challenges. We are renewed with the idea of enjoying new life, here on earth. We are energized as we anticipate our new lives in heaven.

May the God of second chances bring you joy, peace and comfort, throughout this special time, and for the rest of your days.

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee