Who Are You Looking For This Easter?

As we gather to celebrate Easter, many of us enjoy candy from an Easter Basket. If we enjoy chewing on marshmallowy PEEPS, we join Pope Leo in delighting in this sweet treat. Supposedly PEEPS are the Holy Father’s favorite candy. However, more than candy will likely be on Pope Leo’s mind this Holy Week and Easter. This is his first year to celebrate the Liturgies of Holy Week and Easter as Pope. The eyes and ears of the world will be on him as he embarks upon this historical venture. Many will be eager to hear his words of hope, guidance, and desire for greater peace in the world. 

On Easter Sunday he will offer the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing, “To the City and the World.” This is the highest blessing offered in the Catholic Church. It is given on Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, and by a new Pope upon his election. It is accompanied by greetings to the people gathered in St. Peter’s Square and throughout the world, often in several different languages. In 2003, Saint Pope John Paul II offered greetings to people of the world in sixty-two different languages. The Holy Father will usually also implore nations to bring an end to wars and work for peace during the blessing.

Here locally at Saint Patrick Parish, the peace we have been gifted with these past months is all that we have seen happen within our parish and the many ways we have experienced the blessings of God’s presence. At the Easter Vigil we joined in celebrating with more than twenty people who received one or more Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, or the Eucharist. While so many times we hear about the demise of organized religion, we are frequently seeing an increased interest by many in the Catholic Faith. This includes people new to the Catholic Church and those who had previously fallen away, but are returning to the Church. At a recent class for parents who desire baptism for their children, 18 were gathered. And this winter, over 400 people participated in one of our many small groups who enjoyed meeting and participating in a seven week study called “The Search.”

Many are finding themselves searching for something more or different in life. This search is leading them to the Catholic Church and some to Saint Patrick Parish. We read in John’s Gospel (20:15), when Mary Magdalene comes to the garden Jesus asks: “Who is it you are looking for?” This is a perfect question for all of us to hear. Often we hear it presented as “what are you looking for.” But the “whats” will never satisfy us. Because things can’t satisfy our greatest longings. It is only someone who really brings us what we are missing in life. Family, friends, teachers, co-workers, and fellow parishioners have the capacity to bring so much more to our lives. Jesus is the one who satisfies our greatest longings. 

With our Lenten journey many of us focused on a variety of Lenten disciplines. With the fifty days of Easter, let us reflect upon Jesus’ question to Mary, “Who is it you are looking for?” Let us focus for the next fifty days, the Easter Season, on building a relationship with whoever is the answer to this question? This is ultimately how peace will come to our lives and to the world.

Easter Blessings to you and to your families. 

‍