Easter Message

As many of you may know, I have had some health issues recently, which led to a surgery on Ash Wednesday, and another one on April 4th. There will be another surgery in the near future but I am on the road to recovery. I have taken advantage of this time to reflect on this very special season of our liturgical year and how blessed we all are that Jesus made this selfless sacrifice for us.

This week, we were blessed with the freedom to observe and celebrate the Easter Triduum. In the last days of Jesus’ life, He chose to celebrate the last supper with His apostles, though he knew that one of them would betray Him. After this feast with His apostles, that night, Jesus is arrested, and all has changed. Jesus knows the time has come. His suffering begins, the end is near, and all along, by His side, Mary watches her only son, pain in his face, forgiveness in His heart. Her heart breaks, although she has always known that this day would come, like any other Mother, her pain and anguish for the loss of her child is like no other.

During this time, Jesus instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood, and gave us His example of loving service in the washing of the feet. During our celebration, we washed the feet of members of our congregation to remember what Jesus did for his apostles as an example to them. On Good Friday, as we listened to the passion and we commemorated Jesus’ crucifixion, death and burial, we venerated the cross. We go home empty and grieve His death. From that grief of late Friday until the beginning of the Vigil, there is a complete emptiness. At the Vigil we experience Resurrection and new life. We sit in a dark place and listen to the readings and psalms, we emerge into the light and begin to sing the Gloria again. We sing Alleluia!

In today’s gospel, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome come to the empty tomb of Jesus, and see the angel guarding His tomb. They are given the task of declaring the good news to the apostles! We are all given the task of declaring the good news. Through our baptism, we are all called to be priests, prophets and kings.

Before us today, and in every parish around the world, stands the Easter candle, reminding us, that even in the darkest night of our lives, the light of Christ will overcome the greatest darkness, and any obstacle! May we recall these Words of Scripture, and make them our own:

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad”

Have a joy filled Easter!

Fr. Pierre