Christ is Risen, Indeed. But Local Churches Remain Padlocked, and St. Peters Square in Rome was Empty

No Easter egg hunts in the park, but honestly, have you been to one lately?

Easter will be celebrated on Zoom and Skype this year, as we are all locked down due to Coronavirus. I'm sure you already knew that. But did you know that Saint Monica's Catholic Church will live stream Easter sunrise service at their website, https://stmonica.net/hw-portal

The Vintage Church live streams all of its Sunday services at : https://www.vintagechurchla.com/sundays

And this from St. Paul's Lutheran Church: Why is St. Paul's webcasting worship services instead of meeting in person?

"In response to the spread of the coronavirus disease COVID-19, and at the urging of Bishop Guy Erwin of our Southwest California Synod and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, St. Paul's Lutheran Church will not be gathering in person for worship services. This is a temporary measure and during this time we will instead be gathering via live webcast.

A Message From Our Pastor:

I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto me and rest; Lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast." I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad; I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad. I heard the voice of Jesus say, "I am this dark world's light; look unto me, your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright." I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my star, my sun; and in that light of life I'll walk till trav'ling days are done."

Pope Francis celebrated Easter Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday morning, reports the Nytimes.com. The Mass, sung mostly in Latin, was livestreamed for the tens of thousands who could not attend in person. No one was in the square for Easter 2020, save the Pope himself a six or so priests who assisted the aging pontiff.

Last year, an estimated 70,000 Catholics and others filled St. Peter's Square morning to hear the pope deliver his "Urbi et Orbi" speech at Easter Mass. But this year Christians (and others) are banned from in St. Peters square, because of Covid-19.

Francis said that for many, "this is an Easter of solitude lived amid the sorrow and hardship that the pandemic is causing, from physical suffering to economic difficulties."

The leader of the world's 1 billion Catholics said his thoughts were with those directly affected by the virus; including doctors and nurses, the sick, those who had died and family members in mourning.

"A world already faced with epochal challenges and now oppressed by a pandemic severely testing our whole human family," Francis said that there was also "the contagion of hope." God is with us, he said, "firmly reassuring us: Do not be afraid, I have risen and I am with you still."

He said that many face an uncertain economic future and fears surrounding unemployment. The Pope called on political leaders "to work actively for the common good, to provide the means and resources needed to enable everyone to lead a dignified life and, when circumstances allow, to assist them in resuming their normal daily activities."

"This is not a time for indifference," Francis said, "because the whole world is suffering and needs to be united in facing the pandemic."