Easter year A 2020

Today is Easter Sunday.  The day in which we rejoice and be glad.  Jesus Christ is raised from the dead.  Sin and death destroyed.  But in a time like this, do we still rejoice.  Absolutely YES!

Jesus has overcome sin and death.  Jesus has overcome the world.  What does that mean?  That means that no matter what the world throws at us, no matter what trial or struggle comes our way, no matter what sins we struggle with, Jesus Christ triumphs over them all.  Anything that can be lost on earth, Jesus can provide better and in more abundance.  Any sin that can weigh us down, Jesus can remove and fill us with grace.  If we believe in him, if we maintain our faith, then the promises of Christ, the joys of Christ, the divine life of Christ, will be given to us.

Saint Paul famously said in his letter to the Romans, “What can separate us from the love of Christ?  Will anguish, or distress or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things, we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

And I of course will add disease to that list.  Make room for Jesus, and rejoice.  Make time for Jesus, and rejoice.  Do not fear what the world can take, rejoice in what Jesus will give, to those who believe. 

So yes.  In this different time, take precautions, practice safety, but don’t live in fear.  Live in Christ, who removes fear.  Reach out to Christ, who provides.  Trust in Christ, who makes all things new.  Rejoice that Christ is risen, unite to him in prayer and deed, stay faithful to his commands, cooperate with his grace, and you will be restored and ultimately be raised to new and eternal life.