begin easter now
“There shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create.” —Isaiah 65:18
We are about halfway through Lent and joyfully anticipating Easter. The Lord promises us a now-Easter, not only a past memory or future hope but a present joy. Jesus promises: “Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create” (Is 65:17-18). This Easter, we will taste more deeply of the risen life. We will rejoice in Jesus and He in us (Is 65:18-19).
Some of you reading this may not relate to the mounting joy of Lent and the anticipation of Easter. You may be hurting, broken, and struggling to survive. Jesus is calling you to trust in His words (see Jn 4:50), in His promises of risen joy.
The moment you trust in Jesus’ words will be the moment you enter more deeply into His risen life (see Jn 4:53). You may not notice any change at first, but you will be able to look back weeks or years from now and see that this moment of faith was the beginning of new life in the risen Christ. If we walk through this Lent by faith, we can walk in joyful anticipation, no matter what the circumstances (see 2 Cor 5:7). Therefore, believe, rejoice, and anticipate.
Prayer: Father, may we “be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ” (from the prayer after the “Our Father” in the Mass).
Promise: “He and his whole household thereupon became believers.” —Jn 4:53
Praise: Mark showed his son Christ’s love by loving him and loving his mother.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God, view, download or order our leaflet or listen to, download or order AV 43-1 or V 43 on our website.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 2025"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.