Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
On Easter morning, Jesus arose from the darkness of death from the tomb. The apostles and disciples were filled with fear. In a flash of light, Christ overcame sin and death. He opened the path to eternal life for us. The whole world is invited to listen to the Easter story, to follow His teachings which will bring them to new life with the Risen Lord now and to the life to come in heaven.
As we celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection this year, we continue to emerge from the third year under the dark cloud of virus. The current sixth wave of infections due to the new variants is less deadly and more manageable than the past waves. Gradually, people are adjusting to the new normal of life. We pray for those who have suffered and passed during the past year.
Unfortunately, another deeper darkness has descended upon the world. The current invasion and war between Russia and Ukraine has shocked the world. The Ukrainian soldiers have fought bravely beyond all expectations. There is hope that the killing will stop. However, thousands have died with damage in the billions of dollars. Ten million people have been displaced from their homes. We pray for the end of the madness and their return to their homes in peace.
Our people and churches have responded with the largest collection in the history of our Byzantine Catholic Church. So far, the Archeparchy and other Eparchies have collected over $500,000 to help feed and support the homeless.
Bishop Nil of Mukachevo sends thanks on behalf of those in their time of desperate need. The stories from the bishop’s calls confirm the images in the news which are chilling. The people living day to day without food and in fear is heart breaking. We continue to send our support and daily prayers that the suffering will end. We give thanks to all who are helping. And, we pray that the Mother of God will protect everyone from harm.
We remember to continue to pray the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:
“O Mary, Mother of God and our mother, in this time of trial we turn to you. As our mother, you love us and know us: No concern of our hearts is hidden from you. Mother of mercy, how often we have experienced your watchful care and your peaceful presence! You never cease to guide us to Jesus, the prince of peace.…
Holy Mother, amid the misery of our sinfulness, amid our struggles and weaknesses, amid the mystery of iniquity that is evil and war, you remind us that God never abandons us, but continues to look upon us with love, ever ready to forgive us and raise us up to new life. He has given you to us and made your Immaculate Heart a refuge for the church and for all humanity. By God’s gracious will, you are ever with us; even in the most troubled moments of our history, you are there to guide us with tender love….
O Mother, may your sorrowful plea stir our hardened hearts. May the tears you shed for us make this valley parched by our hatred blossom anew. Amid the thunder of weapons, may your prayer turn our thoughts to peace. May your maternal touch soothe those who suffer and flee from the rain of bombs. May your motherly embrace comfort those forced to leave their homes and their native land. May your sorrowful heart move us to compassion and inspire us to open our doors and to care for our brothers and sisters who are injured and cast aside.
Holy Mother of God, as you stood beneath the cross, Jesus, seeing the disciple at your side, said: “Behold your son” (Jn 19:26). In this way, he entrusted each of us to you. To the disciple, and to each of us, he said: “Behold, your Mother” (Jn 19:27). Mother Mary, we now desire to welcome you into our lives and our history.
At this hour, a weary and distraught humanity stands with you beneath the cross, needing to entrust itself to you and, through you, to consecrate itself to Christ. The people of Ukraine and Russia, who venerate you with great love, now turn to you, even as your heart beats with compassion for them and for all those peoples decimated by war, hunger, injustice and poverty….
Through your intercession, may God’s mercy be poured out on the earth and the gentle rhythm of peace return to mark our days. Our Lady of the “fiat,” on whom the Holy Spirit descended, restore among us the harmony that comes from God. May you, our “living fountain of hope,” water the dryness of our hearts. In your womb Jesus took flesh; help us to foster the growth of communion. You once trod the streets of our world; lead us now on the paths of peace. Amen.”
May next Easter be a celebration with the darkness of pandemic and war lifted by the light of the Resurrection of Christ.
Christ is Risen!
Most Reverend William C. Skurla, D.D.
Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh
