Christ is Risen: Finding New Life in Community
Easter Sunday – April 5, 2026
Christos Anesti! (Greek for: Christ is Risen!)
For many of you reading this, there might be the temptation to shake your head and think, “it’s OK for you! You are a priest who never lacks anything.” And it’s true to a large extent, certainly for material needs. But we all live in families and communities. We all face betrayal, anger and the consequences of our past actions/ inaction… sometimes on a daily basis.
The great example/ model of Jesus is how he keeps focusing on “others” all through his suffering: even to the end, he was encouraging the men crucified with him.
Easter does not, usually, nor immediately, change our circumstances. But, taken with a spirit of trust, it can change the way we see things (especially our challenges) and, therefore, our response to those challenges. As we change our response to the challenges we face so, too, the response of others will change.
Easter emphasizes hope/ renewal/ belonging. It’s not about the resurrection as a past event! It’s the promise that, no matter how heavy life feels, God’s love offers a new beginning. And, what does that mean for young people?
- As Renewal: the resurrection of Jesus means that despair, failure, or pain will never have the final word: with God’s help, and our desire to change, a second chance will be given.
- As Light in our Darkness: the Easter Vigil fire and candles symbolize hope breaking into our lives; and how a little bit of love/ assistance given to another can transform them. Here, I think the song is helpful: “From Little Things, Big Things Grow” is very religious.
- Community & Belonging: when young people are part of a large community, like the Church, it creates opportunities for new beginnings.
Easter helps us focus on this last point of Community, that leads to belonging. We know that a sense of belonging is one of the critical emotional needs for every person. But belonging does not magically occur simply by being part of a group. Case in point, when we are part of a group of people about the same age, there is always a sense of having to prove ourselves.
Whereas, in a Faith community, there is the opportunity to belong without having to prove we are better, smarter or more important than others. Even turning up is a contribution!
Now, just as God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, so older generations, in every community, have a great role to play as the ones who raise younger people to a new, better, life.
As we all enjoy Easter, today, every generation must look at itself critically and ask: what am I doing, personally, to raise someone younger than myself, to new life? Even 20 year olds are elders to children.
At the risk of sounding judgemental/ critical of many, let me recognise the great role parents play in raising their children to new life, higher life, on a regular basis. Although, I’m sure, at times, parents feel like they have to push, and not just pull, their children into a new way of life.
Sometimes, raising the ‘dead’ means cutting off the internet, and connecting pocket money to work done; which can lead to a few volcanic eruptions! Just as giving birth is a bloody, messy process, so bringing Easter to life can also be a bit messy at times.
Even God had to be ingenious and fill adolescents with testosterone to pushing them outside the family home for new life! And this is where the Church has a great role to play. Church is not God’s creation to get us into Heaven when we die. Jesus established the Church so we can, with God, create Heaven on earth, through community and love: that is our ticket to Heaven.
In Community, when we faithfully turn-up regularly (whether we feel like it or not), people get to know us, appreciate us, and recognise when we might be struggling… and quietly initiate something to lift our spirits. But, when we go it alone, or hang out in age-related groups, we are like the blind leading the blind: moments of pleasure that fail to sustain us in tough times.
To our young people, let me say: your presence and development are vital to our lives. But at times, we know life can be tough. The friends of Jesus thought everything was lost (Judas even betrayed him), but Easter proves that love is stronger than fear: so, hang in there and find Easter joy by persevering in our faith community.
Of course, in the Church, you will find all sorts of odd people: some boring, some rude, some arrogant and some dishonest! However, if you focus on the Mission of the Church, to build community and serve each other, you will find a greater number of people who are thoughtful, kind, generous and full of joy. These people will raise you up.
Easter is about Jesus long ago: but it’s also about the promise, TODAY, that your story will be renewed, too, as long as we remain active members of community, with Christ in the centre.
By Gerard Conlan, OMI
