An Easter Message
Dear Brothers & Sisters of the Dominican Family,
Greetings of Joy & New Life in this Day of Resurrection and Season of Easter!
In fr Timothy Radcliffe's book Seven Last Words, he writes about Jesus' final words in the Gospel of John, 'It is finished.' (John 19.30). Timothy: "It is a cry of triumph. It means, 'It is completed.' What he literally says is, 'It is perfected.' ... On the cross we see the perfection of love." It is in this perfection of love that has been Jesus' vocation that we approach the empty tomb, a space of contemplation out from which we listen to the Resurrected Christ's voice calling our name as He called Mary Magdalene's name outside the tomb. It is also by the sea, that is, in the midst of our vocation's work, that Jesus Resurrected asks us, as he asked Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Now is the moment when we can respond anew that we do indeed love Him and in that love is located our graced desire to respond wholeheartedly as preachers, "Yes Lord, I will feed and tend Your sheep!"
In this past year since the 2010 Easter Vigil there have been joys & struggles, opportunities & sufferings, sinfulness & reconciliation, and dreams shattered and dreams fulfilled. The new life upon us is not without its pangs of birth. Our vocation as preachers is one borne by faith, hope, and love, all animated by Veritas in Jesus' mission "... to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted." (Isaiah 61.1) May each one of us be free from whatever places an obstacle between ourselves and the mission to preach glad tidings and to heal. It is now time to proclaim ALLELUIA!! with unfettered, joyful, and exuberant voice!
Blessed
&
Happy Easter
Along with David Caron, our Socius,
Fraternally yours in Christ, the Resurrected One,
Chris
