Two days ago we were saddened by the remembrance of the death of the Son of God.  Jesus of Nazareth had led a sinless, servant life and at the end, sacrificed himself for the sins of all mankind.  He died a cruel and vicious death on the wood of the cross.  Alone and forsaken, other than his Mother, John, and the women who loved him most, he breathed His last as He shouted, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me".

But then, at the instant of the death of His mortal body, His immortal soul was freed of the pain, hurt, and anguish and now immediately rejoiced in His next step; a step He was looking forward to since the fall of Adam; His entry into the nether world to free Adam and Eve and bring them into the bosom of His heavenly Father.  Jesus descended to rise up Abraham and Noah and Moses and David.  He took Joseph, His worldly father by the hand and led him to His Heavenly Father.  Maybe He spent three days in the tomb because He greeted and embraced all those who had died before His death and presented them to His Father.  He lovingly sought out Isaiah and Hosea; He smiled as He came across Solomon and Samuel.  He tenderly hugged Job and thanked him for his faith.  He welcomed Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and David.  Jesus smiled a thankful and proud smile when He found Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  He shed a tear of love for his cousin John the Baptist as he walked with Him to present Him to the Father.

This is the resurrection.  This is the Jesus who waits for us.  This is what I strive for - to have my Lord and Savior look at me with a big smile on His face and present me to my heavenly Father.  (Had to pause here and cry a bit) – the same Father who held me so tenderly last year as I sought spiritual direction from my dear friend Paulette – the same Father who keeps reassuring me that everything will be OK and that I must continue to stay straight the path.  The same Father who gave me the Truth and asked me to be there for Him.  The same Father who challenged me to be a rod and to take what He has and give it away; and the same Father who said. “Don’t be so serious Michael, show joy”.  And the same Father who challenged me to “make the turn”.

Easter is a time of joy, a time to start anew.  My prayer is that all of you had a Lent that helped you to come closer to the Father.  My prayer for all of you that I love; Rita and Patricia and Sue, Susan, Deb, Debs, Debbie, Maureen, Maryann and Pam is that you are blessed with joy and hope.  My prayer for John and Dan, Robert, Charbel, and Brian and Rick, Billy, Brad, and Paul is that you are filled to overflow with grace and happiness.  My prayer for you, Brother Paul and Father Brian and Father Kevin, Father John, Father Lon, Father Roger, Father Ron, Father Ray, Father Chuck and most of all Father Dan is that you will continue be embraced by the love of our Triune God.  My prayer for you Kate and Ben is that you will continue to be the most precious gift a man can have; two incredible children who make me so, so proud to be your Dad.  My prayer for my Daddy is that God will show him mercy and that he will see the face of God at the instant of his passing from this life to his heavenly reward.  Finally, my prayer for all of my dearest friends is that you will keep the faith and that we all will celebrate our lives together throughout eternity.  I miss my dear Jane and can’t wait to see her again in heaven.  I miss my grandmothers and can’t wait to feel their hugs again.

Last night I attended the vigil, where the Easter fire lit the Pashcal candle with the light of hope.  Last night, I heard the story of creation and the stories that led to the empty tomb.  Jesus went first to see His mother, then to Mary, who He loved so much.  He stayed with us for another season to continue to pour out grace and usher in the love between Him and the Father, the Holy Spirit.  It is that love, the Spirit of God that is with us today as we celebrate Christ’s victory over death - His victory over sin.  It is our challenge to embrace this victory.  Not just by proclamation but a life of witness, a life of example, a life of holiness.  We are all called to be saints - & for you that have followed my silly rants know how crazy that sounds for a crazy man like me; but that is where I set out to go.  Imagine that, Saint Michael the Sinner.  Imagine that Saint Michael, the beloved of the Father.  Imagine that!!!!