Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Interior of St. Charles, Hartland, Wisconsin.

The world is in search of answers to the empty tomb. Like the Romans and Jews before them who relied upon their own rationale to try to explain the unexplainable, modern man is convinced there is some explanation. The world searches while the empty tomb stares them in the face. For the followers of Jesus, the believers, the answer is right before them. He told them about it, and He predicted it. “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” His whole life was an anticipation of this moment — His suffering, Death and Resurrection. 

For the world that is confounded by the Resurrection, the stone remains unmoved from the entrance to the tomb. The stone that needs to be removed is a surrender of oneself and in humility to embrace the power and the majesty of God. For this is the great stumbling block for many, that God the Father’s unconditional love is manifest in the person of Jesus. Sometimes the answer to our most difficult problems is right in front of us. The empty tomb simply means that “HE LIVES.” The Resurrection is the path for all of us. Remember He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” No one comes to the Father except through Him.

Our acceptance of Jesus means we will conform our lives to His. Christians will teach, proclaim and bring others to embrace the person of Jesus by their witness to Him in this world. 

I hear from many about their disillusionment with the world and especially within our own society. The political fractions, the lack of the dignity of human life, the increase in crime and decreasing respect for the rule of law. It is the loss of our reliance upon God that leads to the problems we face as members of our society. Many become disheartened and discouraged, wondering if change and redirection can be achieved. It can, of course, but not without an understanding of God’s priority in our lives and our willingness to follow His Son’s teachings. Jesus is our hope. Without consideration for ourselves, but in a witnessing to the power of truth given by the Holy Spirit, we proclaim His teaching knowing that His love conquers all — especially, sin and death.

We stand before the empty tomb in humility and gratitude. The Son of God has been risen as He said. The power of God’s love through the life of His Son has been offered to us. In gratitude, we now witness to the living Lord through the way we LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki

Archbishop of Milwaukee          

Note: This blog originally appeared as the April 9, 2024, "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.