An Easter Reflection in the time of Pandemic

An Easter Reflection in the time of Pandemic
(Written for St. John Fisher Parish)

I am sure that I am not the only one who feels that this is the strangest Easter they have ever had. For the first time for all of us, there is no public Mass on Easter Sunday. We are not able to celebrate the triumph of our Lord over sin and death in our parish church. At best we were able to watch Easter Mass on Facebook or YouTube.
Reflecting on the Way of the Cross can be helpful for us in our present circumstances. I think we all know of the suffering Christ endured on his way to Calvary. The pain he endured was done so for us. It also shows us that he knows what true suffering is like. Many people are suffering in this time of crisis in many different ways, emotionally, physically, and financially. Christ is united with those who suffer, they are not alone.

After Christ died on the Cross and was laid in the tomb, not much is definitively known about what happened. Holy Saturday is filled with a great silence as we await the resurrection. I think spiritually this is where we are all now. With our churches closed and a stay at home order in place, we are awaiting the coming of the Risen Lord, when we will be able to attend Mass and celebrate his resurrection and receive him again in the Eucharist.

When the disciples went to the tomb of Jesus on the morning of the third day, they were troubled when they found the tomb empty. One benefit we have over them is that we are on this side of the Resurrection, we have the benefit of knowing the whole story, that Christ rose from the dead on the third day and in doing so conquered sin and death. In these times we need to look to the hope that comes from this fact. That the tomb was empty.

I had the privilege to attend Mass at both Calvary and inside of the tomb where Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. Both sites are located in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. One of the most powerful moments for me was praying the Creed at these Masses. It was because of what happened at these sites that the creed is not merely a bunch of words on paper, but is in fact Truth. The fact that Jesus really did die and really did rise from the dead gives life to them. We need to remember this, especially now. We can get through this tough time because Christ loves us, he suffered and gave his life because of that love for us. But he also rose from the dead, just as we will rise from this situation we are currently in. We need to unite our sufferings right now with Christ’s, so we can enjoy the fruits of his glorious resurrection.

 
I look forward to seeing you all again at Mass soon where we can not only celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death, but our victory over this pandemic. Please know of my prayers for all of you every day, especially for those who are ill, first responders, nurses, and doctors. I pray that our Blessed Mother will wrap you all in her loving embrace.