The Christian year is marked by two great feasts of our King. Christmas shows us where to find true greatness. God Himself comes to live with his people. At Easter we learn that He is God-with-us all the way to the end. He is willing to walk through sin, suffering, violence, rejection, abandonment, and even death. There is not a point in our life when God bails on us. We are never alone, for God is with us always.

Our shepherd is also the true King. He has come to set his people free. We have been chained into slavery by sin and fear. He has come to lead us through the waters of the Red Sea into the Promised Land. But this promised land is the Kingdom of God. It is full of light, peace and joy. There is no violence there and there is no death; even the animals are all friends. No evil can enter there: no idolatry, adultery, fornication, or lust; no anger, hatred, violence, not even gossip. Even darkness does not enter. His Kingdom is full of light because it is full of God.

On the last day our King will appear with legions of angels. They will blow the trumpets and gather all of his children from the earth. The dead will be raised and given their bodies back, the same body, but in glorified form, like the risen Jesus. All the nations will gather before His throne. Everyone will be judged according to the truth. God knows all and sees all; nothing is hidden from him. The righteous will be vindicated, even if they were condemned on earth. All must be washed clean of sin and darkness and be totally filled with the light. Those who reject the light of God’s love will never enter His Kingdom.

Repent and believe in the Gospel! Now is the time to live for the Kingdom. Now is the time to prepare for the Resurrection and the Final Judgement. How can we be prepared?

1. First, turn to Jesus. He is kind and merciful. He loves you so much and wants to free you from sin and fear.
2. Jesus accompanies us through the Church. Mass and the Sacraments were designed for weak people like ourselves, who need daily, weekly, and monthly reminders of God’s love. The sacraments help us to scatter the darkness and walk in the Light every day.
3. God has given his angels charge over us. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. We each have a guardian angel. Archangels are just waiting for us to ask for help. Ask them for protection, guidance, and help to live in the Light. Saints are praying for you. Pray to them, read about their lives, imitate their example, and make them proud.
4. Finally, make use of Holy Water. Just as we get physically dirty, so we can also pick up spiritual filth. We don’t want to bring home bad attitudes and negative spirits. Hang a holy water font by the main door to your home. Take home the Easter water and use it when you come and go. Your home will become more peaceful and more full of light.

Jesus has already won the victory over sin and death. Soon we will see the final battle and the coming of the Kingdom. Temporarily we must still live in a world that has both light and darkness, sin and grace. Be children of the light. Let the light of Christ live within you and banish the darkness of sin and fear. A Christian fears nothing, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Let your light shine! Happy Easter!

Your Pastor and brother in Christ, Fr. Joel Sember

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, every one who pierced him; and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.