We all share responsibility to spread Easter good will

It is Easter Sunday, the most holy day of the Christian calendar, a day of celebrating what is believed to be the most singular event in the history of the world.

Jesus is risen. Let that be proclaimed throughout the world.

Man has done his best, with the help of the devil, to corrupt the message over the centuries.

We have argued and parsed and complained about the words and their meaning. We have fought and killed over our pride and righteousness. But as I sit here in St. Anthony’s Church this morning, looking around at the bright young faces, dressed in their finest clothes, I am reminded of a simple truth: The message that “God is love” transcends all conflict.

It focuses us on the still-quiet voice inside that longs for justice and hopes for peace. If you ever doubt that, take a tour of Opportunity Village and see how the clients treat you, and how they treat each other. Witness true human dignity and how it helps you see another person as a wonderful and unique gift. It is a visit we should all make. After all, Las Vegas is a tourist city, built on hospitality.

It is easy to forget, to cut someone off in traffic or mock an unfortunate, out-of-state traveler lost on Las Vegas Boulevard. We can all do better.

And what are we doing about our huge homeless population, seen now on street corners from Summerlin to Anthem? The valley’s nonprofit leaders will tell you that too many people think these poor souls are just passing through Las Vegas and don’t relate to helping the community.

For those of us who live here and work here, it’s our community and our responsibility.

I can assure you that the dining rooms at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission and Catholic Charities need all the help they can get to feed a growing number of people. We can all do better.

How can we help Meals on Wheels feed our senior population? Remember when family was important and we took care of our own? We all need to teach the value of relationships to our children, not by preaching but by example.

Call your mother or father while you still can.

Turn the computer off and rise off the couch.

Go into the valley and set an example for others of what is good and pure and just.

It is never too late.

Because the message echoes through time and finds new voice even now.

Because being a Christian doesn’t mean just being tolerant of others who believe differently — it means loving them.

That is an example we all struggle with today. Tomorrow is just an ordinary Monday. What if we could all remember those beautiful young faces and put a little more effort into making ourselves accountable by our words and actions?

It is our thoughtfulness, forgiveness, hope and charity that reflect a message of love. To shepherd in the future like the crossing guard does at Adams Avenue and J Street.

Not for glory or praise, but for the simple truth that it is the right thing to do.

If we could all just take a little more personal responsibility, we would be well on our way to creating a better Southern Nevada and a better life.

Contact Review-Journal Publisher Bob Brown at bbrown@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-5287.