My Brothers and Sisters in Christ – April 2024
When our Lord Jesus selflessly gave up his life on the wood of the cross, the apostles were left without his guiding presence among them. It must have felt like the worst possible calamity; their leader, master and rabbi was dead. Their hope vanished. Each must have faced despair for what they thought was the end of the glorious coming of the Messiah. They hid and locked themselves away, fearing for their lives and pondering the meaning of Christ’s promises.
When our Lord Jesus selflessly gave up his life on the wood of the cross, the apostles were left without his guiding presence among them. It must have felt like the worst possible calamity; their leader, master and rabbi was dead. Their hope vanished. Each must have faced despair for what they thought was the end of the glorious coming of the Messiah. They hid and locked themselves away, fearing for their lives and pondering the meaning of Christ’s promises.
Like the apostles and the women who feared Jesus had been taken away, each of us experiences anxieties and fears. It is easy to become discouraged when we do not hear the voice of the Lord clearly in our hearts and minds.
Remember that on the third day, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. Instead, they found the tomb open and empty. Then they encountered the Risen Savior, alive and glorified. Then and now, Jesus brought comfort to us, “Do not be afraid” (Mt 28:10). He reiterated these words when he appeared through a locked door before his friends: “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19).
There is no burden we face in this life where our Risen Lord is not with us. We can overcome many things when we commit ourselves fully to Jesus, in whom we find our fullness and our strength. I encourage you to seek him out at the holy sacrifice of the Mass, in the tabernacles where he dwells and in the faces of those who, like us, face fears and trials. Take courage, my friends. Cast your worries before him, for he is risen!
I pray that you and your loved ones have a most sacred and blessed Easter season.
In Christ’s love,
Most Rev. Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS
Bishop of Charleston