We Celebrate the Lord’s Victory
In a special way throughout this Lenten Season, we have united ourselves ever more closely to the sufferings of Christ. We can identify the crosses we carry: the burdens of temptation and sin, the physical and emotional anguish we and those we love experience, the concerns of the present and the anxieties associated with the future. Yet, as true followers of Christ, we never lose hope in the midst of our sufferings and crosses. We embrace the truths of Easter: Jesus Christ destroyed forever the powers of evil and darkness so that we may live in His Light and enjoy newness of life, both now and forever! He is the King of Victory and His Victory is our Victory!
We recall the words of an ancient Easter hymn:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
The strife is o’er, the battle done;
Now is the Victor’s triumph won.
O let the song of praise be sung:
Alleluia!
Throughout this Lenten Season and in the days and weeks of the Easter Season ahead, we have and will continue to celebrate the Lord’s victory. I am deeply inspired to know the countless numbers of the faithful who celebrated the Sacrament of Penance in preparation for Easter. What a powerful way to proclaim the Lord’s victory over sin! It was edifying to witness the number of people who were anointed within the Diocesan Mass on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the apparitions of Our Blessed Mother at Lourdes. What a powerful way to celebrate the Lord’s victory over suffering!
The number of the Elect in our Diocese who were baptized, confirmed, and received First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, as well as the baptized who were fully initiated into the Sacramental Life of the Church, was overwhelming. What a powerful witness of the new Life that is ours in Christ Jesus! I am so pleased to see the continued reverent devotion, celebration and reception of the Holy Eucharist throughout our Diocese. What a powerful sign of our belief that Christ Jesus alone can satisfy our hungry hearts.
We know many people in our world and even within our families and circle of friends who desperately need to rediscover the Source of our joyful hope even in the midst of suffering. Thus, in word and deed, we must boldly proclaim that:
The strife is o’er, the battle done;
Now is the Victor’s triumph won!
It is my hope and prayer that Our Risen Lord will bless you with His peace and joy and give you the grace to be effective witnesses of the new Life that is ours through Him, with Him and in Him. Alleluia!
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge