Forward Together
Happy Easter from the Pax Christ staff!
Easter is a joyful feast. But the beginning of Easter is emptiness. There is not a gospel writer who tells the story of Easter by beginning with the Risen Christ. Every gospel writer begins with the empty tomb. This Easter, we proclaim Mark’s version of the Easter story. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to anoint the body of Jesus. But what they see is not Jesus but an empty tomb, and they hear the young man’s message: “He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.”
First comes emptiness, then comes rejoicing. First comes absence, then comes glory. Now Easter begins with emptiness because life begins with emptiness. Every time we take a step forward in life, we must leave something behind. Before we can embrace new life, we must empty ourselves of the life we already possess. Before we can take our first breath, we have to leave the comfort of our mother’s womb.
Before we commit ourselves to someone in marriage, we have to let go of independence. Before we can respond to a vocation or a career, we have to let go of all the other things that we might be called to do. If we are going to receive new life, we must be empty enough to accept it.
That is why Jesus asks us not to fill ourselves up with other things. If we fill ourselves and are satisfied, if we fill our lives with resentment, anger, jealousy, or grief, Christ is still risen. But we might not be able to accept the Good News because there is no room for it. If we fill up our lives with goods and gadgets, if we spend time with devising schemes or plans to increase our own importance, God still loves us.
But we can never appreciate that love because there is no space to take it in. That is why Jesus spent so much of his time talking to those who were poor, hungry, and rejected. Jesus knew they were empty enough to hear him. It is the suffering, the grieving, the poor, who have more than enough room to let God’s love in.
And Paul certainly knew this truth because he used it to describe our Baptism, our entry into Christ. He said that first we must die with Christ in the waters of Baptism so that we could rise to new life. We first must be buried with Christ, emptied by Christ of whatever holds us back, so that we might rise from the waters and walk in the newness of life.
So, if Easter begins with emptiness, the way to celebrate Easter is to locate our own emptiness. That could be the emptiness of loss because someone we love is no longer with us. It could be the emptiness of fear: the fear of a medical condition, the fear of deteriorating health because of advanced age, or the fear of economic hardship. It could be the emptiness of disappointment: disappointment in ourselves or disappointment in others in whom we trusted. It might simply be that we have no direction in life; we do not know where we are going, and know we need to find a direction soon. Whatever your emptiness is, do not deny it – claim it. Emptiness is not a liability. It is an opportunity. Where we claim our emptiness, we own our dependence on God. Where we claim our need, we open the door to Easter.
The Risen Christ calls us to new life. Stand before him today in our emptiness and let his resurrection in.
Forward Together and no one left behind.
How do you plan to observe Holy Week?
Personal prayer
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Attend liturgies
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Gather with family
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All of the above!
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Last week, we asked...
Where members are focusing their Lenten preparations, 24% were focusing on Jesus' life, 63% were focusing on their relationship with God, and 13% were focusing on their faith community. Thank God for all the people breathing life into our church community!
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS
Thank you for your financial generosity!
Week of March 17:
Weekend Collection 11,233
Weekend Collection 11,233
Online Giving 31,997
Other 8,870
Other 8,870
Total Week #38 52,100
Budget 50,000
Variance 2,100
YTD Actual 2,080,797
YTD Budget 1,930,000
YTD Variance 150,797
Your financial generosity to the General Fund enables Pax Christi to provide vibrant liturgies, maintain our beautiful building and grounds, minister to those in need and provide faith formation opportunities for community members of all ages. Thank you for supporting the General Fund and for the many ways you support our neighbors in need!
PAX CHRISTI PRAYER CORNER
PAX CHRISTI PRAYER WALL & SUPPORT
Pray for the Pax Christi Community! Please view the prayer wall and pray for the needs of fellow Pax Christi Community members by CLICKING HERE.
Do you have a prayer you would like to add to the Pax Christi Prayer Wall? If you would like to add a prayer request to the Prayer Wall, CLICK HERE. This link invites you to fill out a very brief form so that we can pray for your intention.
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Please join us in holding up the prayers brought forward during all Masses last weekend.
REMEMBERING THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
To see a full list of all upcoming funerals being held at Pax Christi along with an obituary if the family chooses, please CLICK HERE.
- Tad Shaw
- Stephanie O'Keefe
- John Reedy
- Bill Kalina
"We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!”
HOLY WEEK LITURGICAL SERVICES
