"Resurrectio Domini, spes nostra! The resurrection of Christ is our hope! This the Church proclaims today with joy. She announces the hope that is now firm and invincible because God has raised Jesus Christ from the dead. She communicates the hope that she carries in her heart and wishes to share with all people in every place, especially where Christians suffer persecution because of their faith and their commitment to justice and peace. She invokes the hope that can call forth the courage to do good, even when it costs, especially when it costs. Today the Church sings 'the day that the Lord has made', and she summons people to joy. Today the Church calls in prayer upon Mary, Star of Hope, asking her to guide humanity towards the safe haven of salvation which is the heart of Christ, the paschal Victim, the Lamb who has 'redeemed the world', the Innocent one who has 'reconciled us sinners with the Father'. To him, our victorious King, to him who is crucified and risen, we sing out with joy our Alleluia!" (Urbi et Orbi Message- Easter 2009)This Easter, we commemorate and renew the promises made at our baptism. Through Christ, we have been buried in the waters of baptism and raised up as the beloved sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father. Where is the Father's love leading you this Easter? How is He drawing you closer to His Heart?
Bishop Giaquinta teaches us: "The place the Father has in the life of Jesus is the place He must have in our lives. We must love the Father like Jesus loves Him. Conversely, we must recognize that the Father loves us like He loves Jesus. If only we would translate all this into life, our spiritual life would really be changed; the Father would enter totally into our existence – an existence that, as we know, is already rooted in His heart."
“You are my beloved Son, in You my favor rests,” (Lk 3:21).
"We see, therefore, the rapport Jesus has with the Father and the Father with Him. What trust and serenity we should find in the fact that we abide in the Father’s Son and that, as sons and daughters of the same Father, the words to Jesus are addressed to us as well: 'This is My beloved son in whom I am well pleased!' 'This is My beloved daughter in whom I am well pleased!'"
"Let us try to grasp the twofold dimension of the Father’s voice: His rapport with the Son and His rapport with us. Not only His rapport with me, but also His rapport with all who live around me. Thus, we should respect, love and, I’d say, even venerate one another. When we fall short in charity, we are lacking respect and kindness for the children of God. This is why this rapport of love is so often repeated in Scripture: we are children of God, and the Father loves us all." (Bishop William Giaquinta, Face of the Father)
We pray to grow in the hope and joy that comes from the awareness of our personal identity as beloved sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father. With Mary as our model, may the confidence in His love guide our lives as we strive to be authentic witnesses of holiness in the world!
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