The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem is not very large. Inside the main door is a house-sized rock that juts up twenty feet from the floor. On top of that rock, Tradition says, Jesus died. Next to the rock is a marble slab. There, Mary received her Son’s body into her arms. A stone's throw away is a small room built over the site of Jesus' tomb. It is a Holy site, no doubt, but there is an air of sadness. It is the site where humanity was at its very worst.

Yet, the Church's sense of peace and hope is greater than its sadness. Infinitely greater than human failures and foibles is Jesus' response: The Resurrection means new life—a life lifted and transformed; it means new opportunities, a fresh start, freedom from the past, and infinite blessings ahead. For Jesus' followers, no fall, no sin, and no problem is greater than Jesus' victory.

Glory to God; Jesus shares His victory with His friends. When we are at our worst, Jesus offers us His best. May we be His very good friends—a Happy, Blessed Easter to all!    

Fr. Mike Ronayne