Bishop Speaks
		March 20, 2008 Edition

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		Under the Gospel Book + Bishop Robert C. Morlino

Dear Friends,

The season of Lent has flown by, and we are ready to celebrate the central mysteries of our redemption, to be present mystically through our liturgical celebrations to the saving events of the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, and the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

This current year has been transformed into a political season by various primary elections and all of the debate and flurry which accompany them. But it interests me very much that the two watchwords for this political season are "change" and "hope."

Looking for change, longing for hope

There is no question that a vast majority of the American people is in favor both of change and of hope. In some cases, the change sought by voters is for an easier life personally. This usually takes the form of "pocketbook issues." Such a desire for change can be particularly self-centered and even selfish and sinful. There is an old saying that one should not pray for an easy life - rather one should pray to be a strong person.

Others who seek change are of a higher-minded sort and they hope for an end to the divisiveness that characterizes the American political scene and the American scene in general. They seek a more unified and tranquil United States.

The problem for these voters is that a more unified and tranquil America could come about only through union of both minds and hearts. The union of hearts can be present in a universal desire for a more unified and harmonious environment. But, the unity of minds can only come about if there is common ground for our communal life in the United States and common ground to which legislation is held accountable. This common moral ground is simply absent, because so many Americans believe that freedom means, "following my own truth."

So, the calls for change, in terms of an easier life, will never bring about harmony in society because different people desire different changes to make their own life easier; and the call for change, in terms of greater harmony, will not happen because there is no acceptable common moral ground which could serve as a starting point for building unity. In other words, the hopes for change will disappoint, regardless of who is elected, be he or she Democrat or Republican.

True hope and change found only in Jesus Christ

This whole situation puts us in a marvelous position to celebrate the Easter mysteries. We know that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ we find our only true hope - that hope which can never disappoint, and we know that through His grace alone will come about the changes that transform the Kingdom of God in this world, more and more, into the likeness of the Kingdom of Heaven, to which all of us are called.

It is so clear that we citizens of the United States want change and we want hope. This is a privileged moment for us disciples to proclaim Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, as the fulfillment of all hope and, because of his resurrection victory, the only sure Agent of the change in this world that will prepare us for God's world in heaven.

Let us enter wholeheartedly into the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week - as I said at the beginning, they do enable us to be present to those saving events of the first Holy Week - in which alone we can find a hope which will never disappoint for a change which is the sure step forward in our march toward the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thank you for reading this; God bless each one of you. May the joy and the peace of Easter be with you and yours in abundance.

Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen! Praised be Jesus Christ!