Dear Friends and Readers,
I offer this essay for reflection during Holy Week for a more fruitful celebration of the Easter Sunday Mass.
Peace,
Fr. Jim Bacik
We celebrate Easter 2026 in a world suffering from wars, poverty, and the breakdown of the international order. In the United States, political polarization has made it difficult to find solutions to our social and economic problems. The problems are so severe, so unprecedented that some citizens are tempted to lose hope that any constructive progress can be made. In this regard, Pope Francis reminds us that losing hope is suicidal.
In this situation, we need the feast of Easter as a beacon of hope that brightens the darkness of despair. To see this beacon more clearly, we can deepen our understanding of the resurrection at the heart of our Easter celebration.
The essential meaning of all the great Christian beliefs is illuminated by the resurrection. The raising of Jesus to life tells us that the Mystery which we call “God” is not a capricious ogre or a harsh judge but rather a faithful Lord. The God who did not abandon Jesus will never abandon us. The Mystery Jesus called “Abba” always supports us and lovingly lures us into a better future. The essential truth is clear to the eyes of faith: God is absolutely trustworthy.
The resurrection also instructs us in the significance and power of love. Love is the real energy which fuels the historical process. It is the binding force in relationships and the essence of our final fulfillment. In the death and resurrection of Jesus we see the generosity of love and the triumph of its power. The bonds of love are so strong that they cannot be broken even by death. The vital truth is that love is more powerful than all the dark forces including death.
The raising of Jesus revealed him to be the Final Prophet as he claimed. His cause was vindicated, his teachings validated. He is the Absolute Savior who has planted the seeds of the final victory. He is the life-giving Lord who now transcends the barriers of time and space. He is indeed the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Easter faith inspires us to maintain hope in our troubled world. It reminds us that the God who raised Jesus to life wills the salvation of all people, guides history to its fulfillment, and ensures that the good will finally win out over all the dark forces. Easter faith encourages us to stay alert to signs of hope, indications that the divine plan is at work in everyday life even in the darkest moments. In the eleventh century poetic Sequence proclaimed at Easter Sunday Mass. Mary Magdalene confesses: “Yes, Christ my hope is arisen.” With Mary we can also affirm Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, the Victor King is himself our hope. He calls each one of us to glorify God and to work for justice and peace in order to heal and unify our troubled world. We are indeed blessed with Easter hope, let us rejoice and be glad.