We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
Consequently, you, too, must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.
Taken from the sixth chapter of St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, the concept of being “dead to sin and alive in Christ” is a central teaching in Christian theology, rooted in the idea that through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are freed from the power of sin and empowered to live a new life in relationship with God. This is what Easter is all about. Because God so loved the world, he sent his only Son to suffer and die that we might live. The crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth is not the end but the beginning of a justified hope in the merciful and saving love of God.
During these Easter Days and the year ahead, will we struggle with sin? Yes. What we celebrate at Easter and by the nature of our baptism is that while the struggle is real, the grace of God is greater than the struggle. While it is God alone who through the sacraments empowers us to overcome temptation, we, too, are participants in the hopeful victory.
So, what can I do to overcome sin? “Name it, claim it, and throw it away,” was the advice a spiritual director once gave me. In the days of Easter, we rejoice in the Lord’s mercy, seek the Lord’s guidance: study and pray, and believe in the power of the sacraments, particularly the Holy Eucharist.
The celebration of Easter is authentic when we celebrate and believe that death and all the sorrows that we experience have no power over the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who died that we might live.
WELCOME – I am grateful for the opportunity to express greetings to all who join us today. Every person who celebrates the Lord’s resurrection is not only welcomed as Christ— but shares in the joyful spirit of this day. God has called each person here today for a reason, and we hope that in sharing Easter joy with us, you may know His love for you. We hope that His love for each of us as individuals and families may be a source of encouragement to all of us who seek to belong more deeply to Christ and His church. We are blessed by the opportunity to be with so many, and hope that all may always feel welcome and wanted here at St. Rose of Lima.
CONGRATULATIONS – At the Easter Vigil, four individuals were fully initiated into the church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. We joyfully celebrate the new life in Christ of Rebecca Hansen, Latesha Callahan, Amaiya Haut, and Kari Indusi. We also congratulate Robert Meinde who was welcomed into the Church and Confirmed as well as Peter Giordano who also received the Sacrament of Confirmation. I thank Deacon Tommy Elliot and the OCIA team who worked to catechize and prepare these parishioners.
THANK YOU – The liturgies of Holy Week are the central worship experience of the church year. I am so very grateful to the many whose dedicated service provides us with such beautiful celebrations of these sacred mysteries. On behalf of the entire parish, I thank our Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, Ushers, Servers, Sacristans, Vocalists, Musicians and Parish Staff for the time, talent, and faithful service they have given this week.
Peace,
