You will not find the Risen Jesus walking among us. He only becomes real in us. You will encounter him in the life you receive from others and in yourself when you willingly share his love with our sisters and brothers. Then he becomes real and present and visible for our world.

Our world always needs a Savior. Every day we hear bad news globally: war, fighting, violence, the loss of life, and sad news close to home. But for Christians, Christ has conquered darkness — “vanquished forever” the Easter Vigil Liturgy proclaims. In him and with him, hope is made possible and impossible situations become tolerable in his victorious Cross, when we can overcome our struggles in his strength, example, and union.

A classroom at the Hogar orphanage for girls in the Dominican Republic where CARITAS For Children has a child sponsorship program; Juan Urrea (background), Program Administrator, helping out when he was there at the beginning of this month.

This is an historic moment for our Church. Pope Francis is a dynamic spiritual leader for us and our global world. We have a chance to change the direction of our Church to invite more people who are searching for genuine life to embrace Christ. We have the opportunity to show our sisters and brothers of our world and community the joy that comes from living in Christ. We have a real and genuine opening to present a kinder and more humble church — simpler in the best sense, announcing truth without judgment, belief with charity, teaching with acceptance, love at the center.

It is no accident that we celebrate the central events of our beliefs in the season of spring. All creation is again brought to the fullness of life, including ourselves. We want to live fully alive in God and Jesus, achieving our potential and dignity, created in God’s image, heirs to the kingdom, granted the responsibility of carrying on our Savior’s message of freedom and new found life in daily living.

The girls at the Hogar are supported by CARITAS sponsors.

Easter is not a day or a liturgy, and more than its fifty day season the Church proclaims. It is an attitude, a way of being and living that embodies the spirit of the Risen Christ in us, his own. In the flesh and blood of humanity, God has chosen to remain with us for all time and space in our earthly existence. For that awesome reality, as Saint Paul says, “We should never cease giving thanks.”

May Easter’s reality penetrate your heart and spirit, and cause you to overflow with gratitude, joy, and goodness in our Wondrous Creator, whose Son has brought us life again in God.

With gratitude and joy for all we share with our CARITAS children and families, who show us the face of Christ among us, on this wondrous day and all others, may Easter bring blessings and life to you and all you love.

The face of Christ among us