What if the miracle of Easter doesn't happen when Jesus rises, but when we actually believe it? Ansley Dauenhauer takes us from childhood memories of giving up chocolate for Lent (and the delicious relief of Easter morning indulgence) to the profound reality of that first Easter—which was nothing like the joyful awakening we experience today. The disciples woke up heavy with grief, wondering if they'd been used, questioning whether Jesus was actually who he said he was. Even as Mary went to tend his body, love drove her forward despite despair. Ansley explores the moment when the miracle truly occurs—not when Jesus is risen, but when the disciples believe. Using spiritual imagination, she wonders if Jesus himself sat up in the tomb in wonder, perhaps even in disbelief, before joyfully shedding his burial cloths and rushing out shouting, "I am risen!" This beautiful meditation on Jesus' full humanity—his questions, his suffering, and his triumphant joy—makes the resurrection feel more relatable and real. Because Jesus lived his questions all the way to the answers, we can trust that God is victorious and death itself is conquered. So enjoy that chocolate Easter bunny without one iota of guilt—Jesus fully understands, and his joy mirrors your own.

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Ansley Dauenhauer is a life-long educator and writer. Her roles in schools, museums, and parish settings have afforded her opportunities to connect with students of all ages through the curricula she has developed on topics that range from Latin programs for elementary school students to leading and writing programs for summer science camps to coordinating the elementary Faith Formation program at Blessed Sacrament to demystifying writing advanced research papers for high school students. Ansley often captures her experiences in essay form, some of which have been published in both local and national presses. She loves to wrestle with complex topics (like Scripture!) through words. Recently, her twin passions of teaching and writing led her to offer Guided Memoir Writing classes and freelance editing services at her venture, The Lofty Quill.

In this episode, Kristyn Russell tells a childhood story about her blunt 9-year-old brother named Jonny who predicted a "flighty" waitress would spill food—and was proven right. But this seemingly simple anecdote opens the door to an exploration of what it truly means to be a prophet. Spoiler alert: prophets aren't fortune tellers. Drawing on Fr. Richard Rohr's image of prophets as "truth tellers," we dive into Isaiah's third Servant Song, where God's agent listens daily to hear the divine voice and speaks in ways that inspire—and enrage. The Servant faces backlash, violence, and shame, yet perseveres with faith that God will vindicate him. We see this Servant as Jesus, but also as us. Each of us is called to be a prophet—to step out of our comfort zones, bring mercy to a merciless world, offer hope to the hopeless, and embody Jesus in the very spaces where we exist. It's hard, it's uncomfortable, but we can do it together. This Holy Week, the challenge is clear: spend time in prayer, ask God to open your ears to hear and give you a tongue that speaks truth, and discern where God is calling you to be his love in your corner of the world. Then go be that. Go be a prophet.

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Kristyn is a Midland native who attended St. Brigid Catholic School before heading to Jefferson and Dow High School. She holds a Master’s degree in Theology from Villanova University and in Strategic Communication from Michigan State University. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Theology with a minor in Communication from Aquinas College. When she’s not at work, she’s usually with her dog, Caspian, kayaking a new river, hiking through the woods, or sitting by a campfire reading a book.

In this this week's episode, Christy Granda leads us on a journey from a playful Barbie Day celebration in the Faith Formation Office to the profound mystery of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Exploring the two definitions of resurrection—revitalization and the literal restoration of a dead person to life—Christy reflects on what we know (and don't know) about Lazarus: a man who hosted Jesus, lived with his two sisters, became gravely ill, and experienced the final reality of death. Yet Lazarus is silent in Scripture, leaving us to imagine his very human life of good days and bad days, faithful moments and slacker moments, family disagreements and local gossip. The focus then shifts to Jesus' curious command after calling Lazarus from the tomb: "Unbind him and let him go." This phrase takes on dual meaning—the physical removal of burial cloths and the spiritual freedom Jesus offers through his own death and resurrection. We are invited to step from the tomb of our failings, tear off whatever binds us, take the hand of Jesus, and go forth into a newly resurrected life.

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Christy was born and raised in Bay City. She met her husband on a blind date and they worked briefly together at Dow when she was a co-op and he was a contractor. Soon after that their work paths diverged as she finished her degree in Elementary Special Education and he continued as a graphic designer. She worked as a Special Education teacher for 32 years before retiring and immediately jumped into her new role as Adult Faith Formation Coordinator. When asked about the differences between working with adults and children she might reply "so far, nobody has tried to kick, bite or scream at me." She and her husband have two adult children and have been members of Blessed Sacrament for the past 20 plus years.