Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The Resurrection of Lazarus in the Gospel of John offers us a vision full of hope and sheds light on the path we are called to take together. Before the tomb, Jesus calls out: “Lazarus, come out!” This call still echoes today for each one of us. We too are invited to come out of our tombs, our fears, our discouragements, our tendencies to withdraw, to move toward the life that Christ opens before us.
This invitation resonates deeply with the Vision of our archdiocese: go out, go deep, go together. To come out like Lazarus is first to go toward others, to meet those who need a presence, a listening ear, a sign of hope. It also means moving forward together, recognizing that we do not walk alone. As a community, we support and encourage one another in our faith journey.
But we are also called to move forward in depth. Christ does not invite us merely to change outwardly, but to allow his love to transform our hearts. The more we root ourselves in this living relationship with him, the more we become capable of being credible witnesses of his light.
All of us are witnesses of the Risen Christ. Through our simple gestures, our words filled with kindness, and our attention to the most vulnerable, we become agents of life and light for the world. Let us not be afraid: God walks with us; he goes before us and accompanies us.
So let us go forth with confidence. Let us go toward others. Let us move forward together. And, by our lives, let us make sure that the world knows that Christ is truly risen.
Happy Easter!
✠Marcel Damphousse
Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall
