I “just happened” to read the following passage in my book Visions of the Church on the morning of the day during which my father later died unexpectedly about ten years ago.

In the face of so much death from Covid—not only in the United States, but throughout all Humanity—I thought now is a good time to remind each of us that “[t]he truth of Easter gives joy to the world—joy for all Humanity!”:

The truth of Easter is that we need no longer fear death.

We should weep at the tombs of those we love just as Jesus wept at the tomb of his close friend, Lazarus (John 11:35). However, we should not grieve like those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

For we believe that we shall meet again those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. We will laugh with them again. We will hug them again. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The truth of Easter is that there is always hope (Job 14:7).

No matter how much it looks as if we have failed. No matter how much it looks as if evil has triumphed. There is still hope.

Therefore, we must still keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

We must still keep loving (Matthew 24:12-13).

Because, in God’s good time and in God’s good way, God will bring:

     —good from evil (Genesis 50:19-20; Exodus 7:3-5);

     —healing from suffering (Job 42:1-6; Isaiah 53:4-5, 10-12); and

     —life from death (Ezekiel 37:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:12-26).

How???

Although this is impossible for humans, it is possible for God. For “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).

Nothing “shall separate us from the love of Christ.” Not “trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword” (Romans 8:35).

“[I]n all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For . . . neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present not the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39).

The truth of Easter gives joy to the world—joy for all Humanity!

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The quoted passage was first published in 2004 in my book Visions of the Church (published together with Visions of America) in the Section “The Truth of Easter”, at pages 169-170. I made a few modifications to the quotation for publication in this blog.

The Truth of Christmas and the Truth of Easter are discussed at length throughout Visions of the Church.

For a number of applications of the Truth of Easter, please read my blogs “The Truth of Easter”, “Overcoming Oceans of Despair”, “Overcoming Oceans of Hopeless Confusion”, “Overcoming Oceans of Fears”, “Overcoming Oceans of Doubts”, and “Overcoming Oceans of Failures”.

For a number of applications of the Truth of Christmas, please read my blogs “St. Francis of Assisi Made the Way of Jesus Great Again”, “St. Francis of Assisi’s Vision of the Nativity”, “The Nativity Scene: Baby Jesus”, “The Nativity Scene: Mary”, “The Nativity Scene: Joseph”, “The Nativity Scene: The Homeless Family”, “The Nativity Scene: The Humble Stable”, “The Nativity Scene: The Shepherds”, “The Nativity Scene: The Magi”, “The Nativity Scene: The Sheep”; and “The Nativity Scene: The Angels”.

For more Pandemic Wisdom, please read my blogs “Pandemic Wisdom: Straining at the Oars”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Meditating”, “Fear Not the Pestilence that Stalks in the Darkness”,  “Holding Your Hand, Hearing Your Voice”, “Pandemic Wisdom: The Faith of My Father”, “The Baby Jesus ‘Vaccine’ Is Coming”, “Irresistible Hurricanes of the Holy Spirit”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Feeding Multitudes”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Multiple Choice Exams & No-Win-Scenarios”, “Trusting the LORD Will Provide”, “Getting Out of Your Tent”, “LORD Willing”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Visions of America”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Hear and See, Understand and Perceive”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Praying and Waiting”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Festive Throngs”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Hezekiah”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Scattering the Church”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Paul Under House Arrest”, and “Pandemic Wisdom: I Was Glad When I Went into the House of the LORD”.