An Empty Tomb, A Promise Fulfilled

Every year, the Church welcomes the profound challenge of Lent. We fix our minds and hearts on the pain of the Cross, knowing it is our pain. We cannot separate our sins, our brokenness, our temptations, our desert experiences from the path and journey of Christ.

We adorn ourselves with dry bitter ashes on a Wednesday to awaken to the Baptismal waters of new life on Easter Sunday. Throughout the Lenten season we must ask ourselves what has been learned? In our fasting, praying and almsgiving, we put faith, hope and charity into practice. And yet, we still sin. We still doubt. All the while our lives continue. We work. We teach. We study. We pray. We love. We grieve. We rejoice!

God allowed His Son to take all of our sins and redeem them in order to open our pathway to heaven. At St. Thomas, we experience all of these realities of life this weekend as with celebrate with the whole Church. The joy of the Risen Christ lifts all of us from sin to salvation and from death to life. May we always live in the light and glory of Easter Sunday, even as we remember the pain and sacrifice of Good Friday.

As we gather with family and loved ones this weekend, may we find in the empty tomb a faith rewarded, a hope renewed, and a love restored.

On behalf of the Basilian Fathers, have a most blessed Easter!

Fr. Jim Murphy, CSB