Pastor's Reflection - Easter 2025

The Joy of the Resurrection

Jesus Christ has risen from the dead! Alleluia! On behalf of the staff, we wish you and your family a most blessed and joyful Easter. I wish to remind you as well that Easter is a season, so celebrate big this core Truth of our faith.

Over twenty years ago during my first time in Enumclaw at Sacred Heart parish, I had an incredible Easter Sunday experience I will never forget. On Easter Sunday I woke up after a beautiful (but lengthy) Easter Vigil Service after only a few hours of sleep. I have a series of songs I play to celebrate Easter, and I found a new one to add to my collection called “Arise My Love” by a Christian group named Newsong. As the song was playing, the most glorious rays of sunshine began beaming through the kitchen window, and I physically felt the warmth and joy of the Holy Spirit in a most incredible way.

I stepped back from the window with tears streaming from my eyes and was filled with newfound joy at the power of the Resurrection. I began to think about the disciples as word began to spread that Jesus had fulfilled his promise and risen from the dead. When he died on the cross, all of their dreams were shattered and all hope seemed to be lost. Just like the rays of sunshine that were breaking through the kitchen window, the joy and enthusiasm began to beam in the hearts and minds of the disciples as they realized their lives would never be the same. Fear and death were replaced by love and life in abundance.

What happened to me on that particular Easter Sunday morning was a tremendous gift from the Lord and I will never forget it. It is part of the never-ending joy of knowing Jesus and the power of his resurrection (c.f. Philippians 3:10).

May this Easter season be a time for all of us to be renewed in our faith in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and the joy and power of his victory over sin and death.

in Christ,

Fr. James Northrop

Pastor