Not even a pandemic can cancel or postpone Easter

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write to you in the midst of what can only be described as unusual times to proclaim to you Easter joy! The fact that changes all of history forever is this: Christ is Risen! Indeed, it may seem odd, it may seem out of place when life as we are accustomed to has been so disrupted; for some tragically so with an unexpected loss of a loved one or serious illness of a family or friend. Economically we face grace consequences. These dire circumstances of course are the ravaging destruction of the COVID-19 pandemic; the likes of which we have not seen in our lifetime. One common experience we all now share has been that our lives, as we know them, have seemingly come to a halt. We are “sheltered at home,” with only “essential” outings to places like the pharmacy and grocery store. Social distancing has canceled or postponed every gathering. Sadly, our worship and sacramental life, too, has been radically changed, for the most part, to remote access from our local parish or our Cathedral.

However, not even a pandemic can cancel or postpone Easter. We join the Church throughout the world, the entire Mystical Body of Christ to proclaim that Christ is alive! He lives in His Church and His victory is won. Our challenge is that we must go a bit deeper this year to personally own this truth. Perhaps that is the gift we can receive during this sad time. The central message of Easter is that God, in His Son Jesus Christ, has entered into the deepest, darkest experiences of human existence: pain, suffering, humiliation, rejection, abuse, betrayal and finally death…and on the third day triumphs over every evil that could beset the human condition and rises from the dead. In His resurrection is our hope of resurrection; what happens to Him is to happen to us! The first witnesses to His bodily resurrection were forever changed by their experience of the risen Christ. They saw Him, with His wounds made glorious! It was their “seeing and believing” that has made all the difference and helped to change our world forever. They needed to “see” in order “to believe.” However, remember Jesus’ words to St. Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.” (Jn 20:29) Jesus was speaking about us! We are the ones who have not seen Him in His bodily resurrection; but we are given faith to believe, just like centuries of Christians up and down the ages, who “did not see Him” yet still believed!

While it is never a “good time” to have a pandemic; there is no more perfect time than Easter. What this global crisis has inadvertently done is remind the world that we are not in charge. At the end of the day, we are vulnerable human beings. We do not have all the answers and our experts and best crisis management cannot ultimately rid the world of the ravages of sickness and economic demise. This points to a deeper truth; our ultimate crisis is not one of bodily health or economics. No, our deepest need is to be healed of the disorder in our soul caused by the wound of Original Sin. We need a supernatural response to our physical, mental and emotional needs. In a word, we need redemption; we need salvation from the slavery of sin, sickness and death. Yes, today we rightfully cry out in prayer to “stop the COVID-19” crisis. And surely with God’s grace united with human ingenuity, we will see the dawning of that day. But there will be other crises in the human family that will surely remind us we are not ultimately in control. We will all face our own end of life here on earth, when God calls us home ultimately, despite the sad intervention of politicians who say the choice is ours at times. There is no absolute security in this world. Only God is absolute; our Creator, Redeemer and the One who calls us to communion with Him for all eternity!

Pope Francis frequently reminds us by his words and especially his deeds that the poor among us have a special place in God’s heart. Why? Because they know their need. They are more in contact with their vulnerable state; the ones who “have not,” the destitute poor, the immigrant, the marginalized, the abused…these are the ones who more readily show us the plight of humanity. In these little ones the glory of the Gospel is made manifest in a profound way. Our Holy Father wants us to go to them with hope and consolation; to bring to them the message of Easter. Christ has died and has risen for you! And as a sign of that truth, I extend my hand in love.

Let us first recognize that we are all poor this Easter, and we need a glorious Redeemer! Indeed, we have one in the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ! And then let us look outward to those who need us. The message of Easter is good news for every person, not only those who already know Jesus, but those in the vast mission fields all around us who have given up on the belief that there could be such Good News.

Today let us then gather around our Mother Mary, who now forever rejoices that the Son she bore has brought us all eternal life! She faithfully stood by His cross, knowing that somehow God would be faithful to His promises. She rejoices now that the resurrection is His answer. It is our answer, too. Let us claim that truth more deeply today. Our present circumstances are not the last word. The glorious resurrection of the Only Son of God, Jesus Christ is God’s final word. Alleluia!

Now I want to take this moment to affirm with all my being my own faith in Christ and His promise of new life and ask you to do the same. I extend to you, your families and loved ones my thoughts, prayers and love. You are among the Easter people in my life that give me such joy and satisfaction in my ministry; you are a blessing to me and so many others. Please keep me in your prayers as well, that I may rise to the occasion of being your faithful shepherd in such a time as this. I depend upon your prayers and need them, even as I assure you of my love and prayers for you.

Happy and Blessed Easter!

Most Reverend James F. Checchio, 

JCD, MBA

Bishop of Metuchen