Jesus’ rising only changed people, His Apostles and each of us who professes His resurrection to life that could not be defeated by death, nor chained by fear, hatred and suffering. Jesus did not seek to settle scores with the Romans, Pilate, Herod, the Pharisees, the fickle mob. He just walked and spent time with His friends, accompanying them into life and love with the promise that He is always with them.
The grittiness of Lent, and the “intransigent historical claims” without which Easter makes no sense at all, should remind us that Christianity does not rest on myths or “narratives,” but on radically changed human lives whose effect on their times are historical fact.
During Holy Week and in the Easter season, the Vatican will take part in several initiatives highlighting the importance of ecology and the care for creation.
The resurrection of Christ assures us that death is temporary, a message of comfort and hope. It is a message of comfort in that we know our loved ones who have gone before us have not gone away but have gone toward the kingdom, the life after life we are promised. It is a message of hope because the temporary nature of this life need not cause fear; we do not end but are transformed by God’s love.
St. John’s Preparatory School, Astoria, had a Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez to continue the joyous celebration of the Easter season. After the Mass, many students involved in the school’s liturgies attended a reception with the bishop in the school’s library.
Nearly 1,400 students from Brooklyn and Queens entered The Tablet’s annual Christ Is Risen Easter Art Contest. Here are the winners, honorable mentions and their artwork.
These are the Easter to Pentecost days, the great 50 days of Mystagogia (unpacking the Mystery). They invite us to journey with our brothers and sisters who were welcomed into our Church just two weeks ago.
Youth from through out the diocese celebrate this holiest of times in unique ways.
Images of Good Friday processions throughout Brooklyn and Queens.
Easter morning prayer at St. Sebastian’s, Woodside, and the blessing of the Easter baskets at St. Frances de Chantal, Borough Park.
