Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes” (Ps.118, 22-23). I like architecture and so I enjoy walking around the City of Syracuse to see its various architectural styles. On older edifices one thing I look for always is the cornerstone. It amazes me that from this one spot the whole building takes shape.
The same can be said of the Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord. From the stone of an empty tomb, a new world is created. In the words of the First Letter of Peter: “Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame” (2:6).
In our churches, this foundational moment is symbolized by the Paschal or Easter candle. This special candle standing tall in the midst of our sacred assembly reminds you and me that Jesus Christ is the first light of a new creation – “Behold I make all things new” (Rv. 21:5). His resurrection is a new day for our human family, a day in which death becomes not an end in itself but a “pass-over” into the life of God wherein one finds “a new heaven and new earth” (Rv. 21:1).
Therefore 1 Peter invites us: “Come to him a living stone…and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (2:4-5). St. Augustine in reflecting on these words would write: “We are an Easter People and ‘Alleluia’ is our song!”
This is our challenge and mission in a world where sin and evil and its accompanying darkness still futilely seeks to rear its ugly presence. As the author of Peter’s first letter challenges us: “But you are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises’ of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were ‘no people’ but now you are God’s people” (1 Pt 2:9-10).
Together then, this Easter 2024, let us sing the Resurrection song built on the Risen Christ as our firm foundation. To all the Christian faithful of central New York, a blessed and Happy Easter!
In the Name of Jesus,
Most Reverend Douglas J. Lucia
Bishop of Syracuse
