Brothers  and Sisters in Christ,

The Lord has risen. Alleluia! Rejoice! For the Lord has been raised from the dead. He is our hope and our salvation. The Resurrection of Christ is the basis of our Christian Faith, for it proves that Jesus is God.  That is why St. Paul writes: “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain; and your Faith is in vain…  And if Christ has not been raised, then your Faith is a delusion, and you are still lost in your sins…  But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (I Cor 15:14, 17, 20). 

Easter is a feast which gives us hope and encouragement in this world of pain, violence, sorrows, fears and tears.  Easter reminds us that life is worth living. It is our belief in the Real Presence of the Risen Jesus in our souls, in His Church, in the Blessed Sacrament, and in Heaven that gives meaning to our personal as well as to our common prayers.  Our trust in the all-pervading presence of the Risen Lord gives us strength to fight against temptations and freedom from unnecessary worries and fears. The celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord is the celebration of our hope, our joy, our sharing in the New Life of Christ.

The tomb is empty because Jesus has risen. But the world of those who believe in Jesus is full with hope and joy.  “Do not be afraid,” Jesus says to each of us today.  There is great reason to hope. Jesus Christ, our hope, has risen from the dead. Alleluia! Rejoice in the Risen Lord!

The Lord has risen. Alleluia! Rejoice! For the Lord has been raised from the dead. He is our hope and our salvation. The Resurrection of Christ is the basis of our Christian Faith, for it proves that Jesus is God.  That is why St. Paul writes: “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain; and your Faith is in vain…  And if Christ has not been raised, then your Faith is a delusion, and you are still lost in your sins…  But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (I Cor 15:14, 17, 20). 

Easter is a feast which gives us hope and encouragement in this world of pain, violence, sorrows, fears and tears.  Easter reminds us that life is worth living. It is our belief in the Real Presence of the Risen Jesus in our souls, in His Church, in the Blessed Sacrament, and in Heaven that gives meaning to our personal as well as to our common prayers.  Our trust in the all-pervading presence of the Risen Lord gives us strength to fight against temptations and freedom from unnecessary worries and fears. The celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord is the celebration of our hope, our joy, our sharing in the New Life of Christ.

The tomb is empty because Jesus has risen. But the world of those who believe in Jesus is full with hope and joy.  “Do not be afraid,” Jesus says to each of us today.  There is great reason to hope. Jesus Christ, our hope, has risen from the dead. Alleluia! Rejoice in the Risen Lord!

Happy Easter!

 Fr. Joe