Living the joy of Easter

Reminding myself to live in the joy of Easter throughout the year may sound like a lofty sentiment and a daunting quest. Yet we are in Eastertide — giving me plenty of opportunity to keep that attitude alive and create the fruitful habit of proclaiming the Gospel message of Easter joy at every opportunity God presents me.

I sense this is the intent of the 40-Day “Activated Disciple” Challenge going on now, as I and other members of parish-based Synod Evangelization Teams share Christ’s love as part of implementing the Synod in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

After recently completing the seven-week School of Discipleship, we are now working on establishing habits of virtue to help better live a life of faith. And to live it “radically,” as put by Jeff Cavins, leader of the School of Discipleship, which is offered through the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul.

It is a worthy initiative, albeit taken on to the chagrin of me and others with my parish who are seeking that joy amidst the other “No. 1 priorities” in life. But we are called to go through the challenge to help build habits and skills to grow in faith and “make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19) — starting with our own families and parish life.

Now that nearly two weeks have passed since

I know the parallel is hardly exact, but Jesus came to me, too, that terrible Easter morning. Mostly through the tenderness of my husband. He would stand over me and rub my back as I was ill. (And what a delightful thing that is to witness in your spouse.) His touch for me was so comforting, it felt like — it was — the touch of the Lord. How often Jesus makes himself present to me through my husband. This Easter it was as if the Lord was giving me my husband yet again as a gift, straight from his Sacred Heart to mine.

Jesus assured Mary Magdalene that morning that he would always be with her, and that she was worthy of receiving the good news of the resurrection, even before all the others. That he would trust her to rush back to his disciples to proclaim, “I have seen the Lord!” And it is as if the Lord keeps telling me, over and over through the love of my husband, you are worth being tenderly cared for. I want to receive that care as a revelation of the Lord’s presence.

Let us seek Jesus in the sacraments, of course. Let’s look for him and find him fully present in the Eucharist, certainly. But to be an Easter people, we want to be awake and alert to finding the Lord, risen and living indeed, in unexpected places, too. We want, just as Mary Magdalene did, to be quick to share with the darkened world around us the many ways that we have seen the Lord, the multitude of ways that he appears to us, loves us and touches us.

Lord, you are risen indeed! Strengthen us to live as Easter people, always looking for you, finding you in even the most unexpected places, and ready to share the good news with all who will listen. Amen. Alleluia.

Kelly Stanchina is the award-winning author of 12 books including Jesus Approaches, and a nationally recognized retreat leader and speaker. Visit her website at lizk org the 40-Day Challenge launch on Palm Sunday, the man in the mirror tells me to practice what I preach as a Catholic Watchman and encounter Jesus in Scripture. Which means to be an active disciple versus a passive Christian curmudgeon. This should be a joyful activity. Actively proclaiming the joy of Easter is truly Christian. It is similar to daily prayer and being an authentic Christian father. Showing up physically and spiritually every day to our families is not a life of passivity. I have to remind myself more times than not to live always in Easter joy. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that “joy is not a virtue distinct from charity, but an act or effect of charity (love).” This starts with the love for our Lord.

Encountering Jesus in the Bible helps us know, follow and love him. Through his resurrection, he defeated death — and that is whose side we want our families and loved ones to be on. That is the essence of the joy of Easter we need to proclaim daily.

To “make disciples of all nations” is a formidable mission indeed. The ancient practice of lectio divina (divine reading) with meditation, prayer and contemplation of sacred Scripture is the method used in the 40-Day Challenge to embrace biblical passages for daily living. Experiencing lectio divina individually or in group activities helps participants focus on what God is revealing through his words. In time, we can live the Scripture passages and attract others to the saving knowledge of Jesus — proclaiming and spreading the timeless message of Easter joy.

Deacon Bird ministers to St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville and helps with the archdiocesan Catholic Watchmen movement. See heroiCmen Com for tools supported by the archdiocese to enrich parish apostolates for ministry to men. For Watchmen start-up materials or questions contact Deacon Bird at gordonbird@roCkeTmail Com

Letters

What about Catholic politicians?

In the March 23 edition (Letters, “Not funny”) you included a letter criticizing your editor for publishing a comment Matt Birk made regarding his wife and family. Most people, who either grew up in or raised a large family, would just laugh at a “Dad” joke. My criticism of your editor is: where was a human-interest story and a little favorable publicity for Mr. Birk before last year’s election? Did I miss something? Here was a Catholic candidate, outstanding athlete, Cretin-Derham graduate, who dedicated almost 18 months of his life trying to change the direction of Minnesota politics. And no criticism is implied, mentioned or published about Catholic voters and politicians who have turned Minnesota into a destination state for transgender surgery on minors and lucrative opportunities for abortion providers — no waiting period, no parental notification for under-age girls, no questions asked. Incidentally, Matt Birk praised his wife profusely in public for carrying more than her share of family responsibilities during his campaign.

Kathleen Langer

St. Odilia, Shoreview

Editor’s note: As the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, The Catholic Spirit covers political issues but is legally barred from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

Did you know that Minnesota?

Did you know that Minnesota allows abortion in the third trimester and for any reason regardless of the baby’s viability? Allows for brutal partial birth abortions? Subverts parental notification about minor children seeking abortion or sterilization? Will require more taxpayer funding for abortion? Is considering laws allowing newborns who survive abortion to be left to die? May divert taxpayer funds from pregnancy resource centers to abortion centers? May model sex-ed programs around Planned Parenthood information? May give sanctuary to criminal abortionists from other states? May repeal a woman’s right to know of potential abortion medical risks or alternatives to abortion? Some of these proposed laws (now in committee) may be passed, dropped or go forward quietly under the protection provided by the (Ramsey County District Judge Thomas) Gilligan decision of July 11, 2022, effectively allowing these abortion practices without passing new laws. What is next? Assisted suicide, infanticide, free distribution of dangerous abortion pills? Catholic leaders in Minnesota (especially bishops and priests) please create massive awareness of these abhorrent laws (including from the pulpit), avoid inherent politics and cherish the sanctity of life.

Jim Anderson St. Joseph, Miesville

Assault weapons ban

Once again, we are weeping with parents whose children have been killed and traumatized by assault weapons of war designed to kill the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time — weapons not long ago banned with great effect in reducing deaths by mass shootings. The gun lobby, protecting the billion-dollar industry of assault weapons, got Congress to reinstate them. As Catholics, we profess pro-life. Pro-life means kids’ lives have priority. Pro-life demands that these guns be taken off the street. Some say that impinges on our freedom, but there are many freedoms restricted for the sake of the common good. If certain congresspersons are unwilling to act, maybe what is needed is nonviolent mass demonstrations, as evidenced in France. A national worker strike to defend our children? Teachers and students refusing to go to school until a ban? Catholic schools could take the lead. “Thoughts and prayers” are not enough. Pro-life requires action.

Thomas Carey

St. Piux X, White Bear Lake

(And members of Men’s Catholic Spirituality Group, including Mike Haasl, Steve Robach, Ray Phenow, Dan Weinand, and Bob Goligowski)

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GUEST COMMENTARY | MSGR. RICHARD ANTALL