Every time we hear the ancient words, in the quiet of the nursery or the hush of the sanctuary, the soul shivers with recognition.

The personal spiritual blessings that proceed from eucharistic adoration are rich and abundant.

Prayer is also merely dialogue whose simplicity can resemble all the manner of conversations we have throughout our days, large and small, pleasant or sarcastic or even heated.

The story of the two disciples journeying to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35) emphasizes how belief in the Resurrection is not a matter of mere reason or facts, but of a real encounter with the Risen Lord.

The joy found in the paschal candle is actually a sign of the joy we find in the resurrected Christ, who brings light out of darkness.

Easter means that what is ugliest in our lives is made not only beautiful, but glorious.

Just as an old car is most thoroughly restored when its body is removed from its frame, something like that happens when we die: our body and soul are separated until the resurrection of the dead.

Somehow it seems easier to lean into the penance and sacrifice of Lent than the extended exultation of Easter. Maybe a day or two—or even a week—of rejoicing seems manageable. But 50 days? How will we ever be able sustain it?

As Christians, we are called to be a sign of the resurrected Christ to the world. Let’s stop for a moment and consider how we can find hope — even in life’s hard times.

Express gratitude for the blessing that this, the greatest feast in the church calendar, truly is.