Bishop Solis' 2018 Easter message

Intermountain Catholic

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The Resurrection window of the Cathedral of the Madeleine

We enter Holy Week focused on the paschal Mystery of Christ, His suffering, death and resurrection. We commemorate Christ’s selfless act of sacrifice when He gave His life for us in ransom for our sins. Christ keeps assuring us that love can stand against hate, that light can overcome darkness, and that life is much stronger than death. His rising from the dead trumpeted a strong message of hope, of God’s unending gift of forgiveness and His enduring love for the world.  

As we anticipate Easter, we look forward to experiencing again the joy and peace of the Risen Lord. On Easter morning, the three women find the tomb empty, but in faith know that Jesus continues to live. Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of Jesus and Salome are excited as they run to tell the other disciples that the Lord truly has risen and lives. The darkness of the crucifixion is diminished by the Lord Jesus, the Light who shatters all darkness. The enduring presence of the Risen Lord echoes throughout Holy Mother Church and inspires us to become the light, ambassadors of the Good News of salvation to our families, in our places of work, our communities and in the world.

Our Holy Father Pope Francis often reminds us that the good news of Easter is a joy ever new, a joy that is to be shared. We who experience new life in the Risen Lord are mandated to be the proclaimers of the Gospel, modern evangelizers, the new missionary disciples of Christ. We do not have to embrace or enhance the darkness of the world or be tarnished by the darkness.  We have been graced by the Lord Jesus, the Light, in order to be light to others, that they might come to know God.

In his apostolic exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel,” our Holy Father reminds us that “goodness always tends to spread. Every authentic experience of truth and goodness seeks by its very nature to grow within us, and any person who has experienced a profound liberation becomes more sensitive to the needs of others. As it expands, goodness takes root and develops. If we wish to lead a dignified and fulfilling life, we have to reach out to others and seek their good.” (EV #9)

As proclaimers of the Good News, we have to make sure that this goodness has taken root in our own hearts so we become sensitive to the sufferings and needs of the poor. Pope Francis warns us of the culture of indifference and exhorts us to defend the sanctity of life and the dignity of every person against the throwaway mentality of our society. Only then can we foster environments of inclusion and respect for all people – for the unborn in the womb of their mothers, for young and old, for rich and poor, for refugees and undocumented, for gays and lesbians and for any who are treated as less than fully human. We have to reach out to make sure everyone experiences our Christian hospitality, care, love and respect. After all, we are one family as Church, the Body of Christ, sisters and brothers equal in value, created in the image and likeness of God. That is truly the Good News of Easter, the joy and peace of the Resurrection.

Let us, then, continue our spiritual journey as members of our local Church toward a “Springtime of the New Evangelization.” It is an exciting time for our diocese. I congratulate and thank the newly appointed pastors, administrators and parochial vicars for their willingness and readiness in accepting their pastoral assignments to be of service to God and His people. It is worth noting and thanking all who attended the annual Chrism Mass. The presence of so many of our priests, deacons and their spouses, the women and men religious and the representation from the laity is truly inspiring. It was a beautiful and moving celebration of our unity and solidarity as one vibrant church community.

I also strongly encourage everyone to support our 2018 Diocesan Development Drive so we can meet our goal for this year. Remember that the DDD helps our diocese finance and maintain the various ministries and programs, especially in the poor parishes and missions of our diocese. Please remember that the DDD is not a project nor just a financial campaign. Rather, it is our stewardship effort to mold our minds and hearts in order to make sacrificial offerings and grateful giving of our God-given gifts integral parts of our daily life. Please be generous and contribute from the heart, for God loves the cheerful giver.   

Finally, in the next few months, we are entering the final stage of our listening and discussion sessions toward the formulation of a new Diocesan Pastoral Plan. It is very heartwarming to see the spirit of collaboration and partnership among our clergy and the laity, which is one of the essential components in building our local Church in Utah. We are grateful for all your efforts.

We are truly blessed to be called to proclaim and to be witnesses to the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Happy Easter, and may the peace of the Risen Lord be with you!

+ The Most Rev. Oscar A. Solis

Bishop of Salt Lake City