The sadness is almost unbearable. Because of Easter, our present time is filled with significance. In response to the risen Christ, we can work toward justice and mercy, we can create beauty and celebrate truth. We can offer ourselves in love and create communities of kindness and forgiveness. Because of Easter, what we do matters.
Fear is a terrible thing.
In our fear we pull back from real Easter and settle for the generic substitute. Peter Gomes, chaplain at Harvard University, says that many fear death. That is understandable. But many also fear life. And the fear of life is a debilitating fear.