The Easter proclamation resounds! The single, defining event of the Triduum has sealed a new covenant for heaven and earth, the dawning of a new birth, 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 First Readings of the seasonal Easter Liturgies now turn to the New Testament accounts of the early Christian community, and how they grew from Pentecost. We hear these accounts juxtaposed with the Gospel resurrection narratives prior to Pentecost, leading us first to the locked room where the risen Lord came, and finally to the disciples’ reception of the Holy Spirit. 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.
"The single, defining event of the Triduum has sealed a new covenant for heaven and earth, the dawning of a new birth, and the planting of a new seed."
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, 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, he “lets himself be seen.” It is through the measure of their faith that they recognize him.
JESUS IS WITH US NOW! Jesus’ hour is upon us, 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 Eucharist 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.
"Our Eucharist is the mystery of the river of life and it reaches and draws us into Our Lord."
Through the coming weeks 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 the Eucharist and give time to his holy presence. Soon we will gather as a diocese to celebrate the gifts we are given, in Eucharistic Congress in May. May you and yours have a happy and holy Easter season, and may our diocese grow into Living Water for the whole world.
+Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg
Bishop of Pueblo
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