The Pastor's Corner

by Fr. Bob Hoffman

Easter is the most important holy day for a Christian. We celebrate Jesus Christ’s Resurrection. He triumphs over death. Evil is defeated. 

In Jesus’ dying on the cross, he redeems us. He makes us right with God. He pays a debt that we could not pay.

In his Resurrection, he brings us salvation. He opens the gates of heaven. The holy ones of old waited to see that day when they could finally enter into heaven themselves.

Christ’s Resurrection makes possible the resurrection of the dead. We see that in Chapter 15 of Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. The Corinthians believed in the Resurrection of our Lord, but did not believe in a resurrection of the dead. So, Saint Paul writes, “For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.”

Our faith is not in vain. Because Christ rose from the dead. And because the dead will be raised. There is life after this life. There is the offer of eternal life if we meet the conditions of living the life to which God calls us.

Be sure to take time to celebrate Easter. Not so much the secular holiday that celebrates Spring and includes lots of candy.  Rather, make sure that your family is celebrating the most important holy day of the year.