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Christ is risen! Risen indeed! That call and response can be heard each year in Christian homes and churches on Easter Sunday. This holiday weekend, we are filled with faith, family, and tradition, and the challenge for a new life and new beginnings.
Yes, happy Easter, and may the resurrection of Christ bring you hope and renewal on this day and throughout the coming year. For all people and all families: may your Easter Sunday be as bright as a spring morning.
Christians view Easter in a positive way; Easter Sunday symbolizes the victory over death and the victory of the "Good News." Jesus of Nazareth was hailed as a prophet, "mighty in word and deed" (Luke 24:19 NAB). His preaching emphasized that salvation is on its way from God. God is on the side of the little ones, the outcasts, even the sinners, promising them new life.
All people, whatever their status, are called to conversion. All are called to open their hearts to receive forgiveness from God. For the powerful, this involves a turn of heart and mind toward their brothers and sisters.
Jesus took this "Good News," which he preached, and showed examples of love and compassion for others.
His table fellowship with sinners, his healing of people suffering in spirit and body, and his challenge to authority held out the promise of life to all in concrete ways.
Women and men were called to be his disciples, and they followed his way and his efforts on behalf of the reign of God.
On this Easter Sunday, we can ask: what did Jesus stand for in his life? He came to live and to bring life abundantly to everyone. Jesus offered the message of "hope" and the fulfillment of a loving and caring life.
Pope Francis has proclaimed a Jubilee Year for the Catholic Church and all the people of the world, which began on Dec. 24, 2024, and will continue through Jan. 6, 2026.
What is this Jubilee Year about? Francis has identified "Pilgrims of Hope" as a focus for this Jubilee Year. Hope is the challenge to seek the good, anchored in God: to see difficulties clearly, yet to pursue action rather than despair.
Pope Francis shared his idea: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.
The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire; that is why I have chosen as the motto of the Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope" (Letter of The Holy Father Francis).
Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring.
We ask for the blessing of strength; to be still and listen, for fortitude, to be patient in the face of many trials and tribulations that confront us, and for courage, to say "yes" to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
St. Paul said to the Romans in chapter 5 verse 5: "Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."
At St. Boniface Parish in Williamsport, a group of "47 parishoners" compiled a booklet, titled "Pilgrims of Hope on our 2025 Lenten Journey." This book with daily scripture reflections embraced the idea of "hope," and how individuals reflected on their longing, expectation, and desire.
"Words of wisdom" emerged in the booklet that articulate many attributes of hope: faith, love, communication, affection, ability to deal with crisis and stress, responsibility, compassion, empathy, sensitivity, kindness, honesty, trust, fidelity, adaptability, flexibility, inclusion, and tolerance.
Hope is at the center of what Easter Sunday is all about: hope for the future, expectation for all peoples, desire of something good happening for the world, but most of all, hope that God will look upon everyone with kindness and love so that we may continue to do the good works that we are meant to do.
Let us try to be hopeful people with this dawning of Easter and the rebirth of spring.
Jack Houston, PhD
Reflection Booklet is available on the parish Facebook page, and the parish website