Reflection From

Fr. Davis

April 5, 2026

Today is the Day of days! It is the day in which the Christian community around the world renews itself in the most fundamental belief of our faith in Christ: belief in His Resurrection. At times we don't give much thought to this belief. Perhaps we take it for granted. We live as if our lives in the earthly realm is all there is. We're afraid to live in the power and blessing of this holy Day of days.

We all know that the life and death of Jesus are historical facts. Actually, the burial of Jesus is another historical fact, solidly attested to in Holy Scripture and in other historical documents. But these events were only part of the story. The case of Jesus does not end with his death. Holy Week does not end with the demise of Christ. The story of Jesus really only BEGINS with the most dramatic and astounding news of all: the Resurrection of the Lord! The Scriptures say that Mary Magdalene and the other women went to the tomb and found it open and EMPTY. His apparition to her, to the apostles, and to many other disciples who were eyewitnesses to Jesus being alive underscores the fact that Jesus rose. He conquered death. He remains with his people. It is a cause for great rejoicing; He reveals the Resurrection to all who follow Him.

When we fill our mind's eye with the details of this story, ponder the events, the facts, and the lives that were changed through encountering the Risen Christ, our own seeing of this will lead us to the birth of an Easter faith in our own hearts.

And yet, for many of us, the power and blessing of this day has been scarcely tapped. At times we prefer to live as if it were still Lent, as if Lent were a year-round season, as if somehow the details of our Lord's rising were just a fairytale, fiction, or a fable which we like to listen to each spring season. Yet, Lent is far much more. Easter is much more significant too! Lent is over. Roll back the stone and live!

It was the great Saint Augustine, bishop of Hippo in North Africa, who told his people at Easter time back in the 400's, "If we are silent about the joy that comes from the risen Jesus, the very stones of our cities would cry out. For we are an Easter people and 'alleluia' is our song!"

Easter and the life which follows is filled with the movement of God's Spirit. Dare we reach for it? Dare we experience it? Dare we claim it at the core of our souls? This day is filled with reminders of the Lord's resurrected activity among us, within the Church and its sacraments, and within the believing community. Today is a day which calls us to life. This day was made by the Lord. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Easter has become a here-and-now reality. The Resurrection of Christ in us is not just a future prospect, but a present reality. Just as the early Christian community was raised up to a new plane of existence, so, too, us. And because of the Resurrection, it is time to set our sight and our hearts on higher realms.

Yes. Easter is the Day of days. We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song! The priests and staff of Saint Gregory wish you a Happy Easter and we invite you to accompany us every week throughout the year in our joy in the Risen Christ.

Rev. Dr. Michael W. Davis

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