It has been a long Lent. Our ‘normal’ has become a ‘new normal.’ We are scared of the unknown. No public Holy Week services or Masses. Churches are closed to communal worship. So often I hear, “Easter is cancelled.” For me personally, I think this is going to be the best Easter I have ever experienced. How can I be so sure? Because, in many ways, Easter has come early. Our world has been brought to its knees because of the Coronavirus. We have been forced to slow down, to stay home (if possible) and to keep at least 6 feet between ourselves and another person. We cannot attend Mass, we cannot receive Communion. Schools are closed, so many businesses have closed. After all that, how I possible say, 
has come already?
Easter has come in a new way. People are checking on one another, letting them know they care. I have heard so many times, “Thank God for my faith, it’s getting me through this.” People are trying their best to help wherever they can. So many are making needed masks, shopping for their elderly neighbors, etc. etc. For me, personally, I find such a yearning to want to receive communion and to return to my parish.
It may not be a perfect world, but in these past few weeks, we have seen people doing amazing things. Maybe it’s because we have slowed down and have time to see what is happening in our world. I am reminded of Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” There is a stillness in the world and we now have more time to see our God at work.
When Jesus was with His disciples on the boat and the water began to get rough, Jesus asked them, “Do you still not have faith? Our waters are rough right now but we have Jesus with us.
My Easter prayer for each of you is that your faith has been increased and that you experience the blessing of the Resurrection in your heart.
Happy and Blessed Easter to all!