My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,



As we begin Holy Week, we see Jesus entering Jerusalem in triumph to the shouts of “Ho­sanna in the highest!” Yet, even on Palm Sunday, it becomes clear how short-lived those cheers would be .  Some of the same voices that acclaimed Him as king call for his death on Good Friday: “Crucify him. Crucify him!” This sharp con­trast that is laid before us during Holy Week reveals how fickle the human heart can be.

The story of Holy Week is not complete until Easter Sunday. The fullness of this week’s events — the entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the Institution of the Eucharist and the Priest­hood at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, Jesus’ Passion and death on Good Friday, and the quiet silence of Holy Satur­day — has to be seen in light of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Because Jesus was dead and was raised, “death no longer has power over him” (Rm. 6:9). Christ has conquered what we ultimately could never escape on our own; he has conquered death.

Not only has He conquered death, but by our baptism and life of faith, we share with him in this victory. Easter is the Church’s greatest day of joy because it is the day of new life. The new life that Christ offers to you and me is so much more profound than what we could have expected. We are invited to share eternity seeing our God face-to-face.

Brothers and sisters, we have been made to see God. Jesus has filled the aching desire of every human heart to know where we come from and where we are going. It is only in Jesus — risen from the dead, never to die again — that our lives find their ultimate meaning. It is only when we give ourselves entirely to him, holding nothing back, that we can enter into the fullness of happiness, the fullness of joy for which we long.

This joy that comes from knowing Jesus is alive is the heart of the Gospel message. I have called for our local Church in the Archdiocese of Detroit to remember the power of the Gos­pel, the power of Jesus. It is time for us to “unleash the Gospel” in southeast Michigan. Our broth­ers and sisters, our friends and neighbors, our coworkers and bosses and employees need to know this truth. It is our job — our mission! — to share it with them. I urge you this Easter “to stir into flame the gift of God that you have” (2 Tim 1:6). Rekindle the fire of your own love for Jesus Christ and share that joy with others this Easter.

Christ is Risen; alleluia!

 

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron

Archbishop of Detroit