Dear Friends,

“Fr. Richard Carton, associate, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, was speaking to a group of second graders about the resurrection when one student asked, ‘What did Jesus say right after He came out of the grave?’ It was a question of great theological importance, but Fr. Carton had to explain, in words suitable to his young audience, that the Gospels do not tell us just what He said. The hand of one little girl shot up.“I know what he said Father,’ she insisted. ‘And what was that?’ asked Fr. Carton. “TAH-DAH!” the girl exclaimed. ”                                               (Holy Humor- Any Fisher, Denville, New Jersey)

EASTER is about rising and transcendence. We rise up when we transcend our fears, prejudices, and histories to be instruments for Divine creative expression. We “rise in faith, believing,” means we inhabit and create from a field of pure potentiality that exceeds and celebrates our precious, unique and beloved humanness.

On the third day after the crucifixion, the three Marys came to anoint Jesus’ body with oil and found him gone.(Mary, mother of Jesus, Mary, wife of Clopas, & Mary Magdalene)When the tomb was rolled back, I can imagine how excited they were. Jesus prophesy came true. He rose on the third day!                                                   Matthew 28:5-6 “The angel said to the women, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here… But go, tell His disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.”  

Jesus met with all the disciples except Thomas. When the disciples told Thomas Jesus had appeared to them, Thomas was filled with doubt. The following week when ALL 12 were in the Upper Room, Jesus appeared again.  Thomas put his hands on the wounds of Jesus and was no longer a “Doubting Thomas.” FINALLY humanity’s greatest fear about DEATH, was answered. There is no death, LIFE is Eternal!

When challenges show up, and you start to doubt the power of God within, remember to name and claim God as your Omnipresent Source, Substance, and Truth. In Truth, you are an unlimited channel for ALL possibilities. Your recognition, surrender and trust opens you up to Life’s vitality, energy and creative solutions.

Shift your understanding of what a tomb represents: not a dank, dark, airless space, but a place of deep rest, revitalization, and even renewal. SUBSTITUTE WOMB FOR TOMB…, and your entire perception will change. All creative ideas and possibilities must gestate before they are birthed and produced in form.

Rising Up is a gift we give ourselves, and the universe. Just as Jesus, the “Great Example” was no longer tomb-bound, neither are we. We live beyond our stones and barriers by choosing to reveal and release our hidden splendor (God Self). There is a “higher place” in consciousness where we can envision and create lives of deep meaning, love, and a world that works for all. We set aside barriers of fear or doubt, and live life joyfully, and creatively!

In conclusion, the Easter story is our story. It is ABOUT OUR RISE in CONSCIOUSNESS and a great demonstration of Jesus’s teachings.

TAH DAH!   Abigail and Steve