Berg: 'Season of Easter Faith'
“Allelulia, the Lord is risen! The single, defining event of the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord has sealed a new covenant for heaven and earth, the dawning of a new era, and the planting of a new seed. The “Hour” of Jesus, God With Us, has been transformed into Living Water flowing through the tiny community of Jerusalem, in the shadow of an empty tomb. We have entered the season of Easter, and the risen Christ is among us!
The seasonal Scripture readings, as proclaimed in many Christian denominations throughout the world, now turn to the New Testament accounts of the early Christian community and how they grew. Juxtaposed with these accounts we hear the Gospel resurrection narratives, leading us first into the locked room where the risen Lord came, and finally to the disciples’ reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In every instance we see doubt and ignorance transformed into Easter faith. The Living Water flows through surprising revelation upon revelation, personal and communal, establishing once and for all the source of the divine wellspring which is to be the Church.
Here, in this world, now, more than ever, the Kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus IS WITH US ALWAYS. He does not “appear” to his disciples as though he were absent, putting in occasional appearances when convenient, like a child testing a parent’s patience. As the Gospels make clear, he “lets himself be seen by them.” Beginning with Mary Magdalene and women at the tomb, continuing with the disciples on the road to Emmaeus, with Thomas and those gathered in the upper room, with Peter and the seven on the shores of the Sea of Tiberius, and on countless other occasions, he “lets himself be seen.” It is through the measure of their faith that they recognize him, and remember: “I am with you always.”
JESUS IS WITH US NOW! Jesus’ “Hour” has come, the Living Water flows in abundance, and we are baptized into this Hour for all time. The body that rose from the tomb is now the wellspring of life, our Church, our Liturgy. Within the Liturgy, our Eucharistic communion springs forth and intensifies the mystery of the river of life, reaching out and drawing us into Our Lord. It does so that we may water our entire life and render it fruitful, bringing Living Water to the least fibers of our being and into our human community.
This is the season of Easter faith. Through the coming weeks, in anticipation of Pentecost, I encourage you to ask Jesus to “let himself be seen” by you. Ask, listen, and receive. Carefully hear the readings of the Easter season and allow Jesus to deepen your Easter faith. Open yourself completely to him in Eucharistic communion and give time to his holy presence. May you and yours experience a happy and holy Easter season, and may our community grow into Living Water for the whole world!
The Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg is the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Pueblo
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Berg: 'Season of Easter Faith'
