My Dear Daughters,
REJOICE!!! CHRIST IS RISEN!!! ALLELUIA!!!
This cry is the core of the Church’s faith and hope.
If you remember this time last year we were closed due to government regulations as we started to experience COVID 19. A year later and we are able to celebrate, as faith communities, as we come to gather and experience the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The women were standing by the tomb, crying. Then as they wept, they stopped to look inside and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been. They said, “Why are you crying?” Their astonishment turned to joy after hearing Jesus had been raised from the dead.
Father, you calmed all their fears and anxieties. After all the pain and suffering, the turmoil and the tears of Good Friday, the anxious waiting of Holy Saturday, Jesus’ resurrection brings nothing but joy and happiness. Unlike the women at the tomb, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead for he is alive and has become the
source of NEW LIFE!
In baptism, we died to sin as we accepted this new life as members of his Holy Body, the Church. We rejoice in welcoming those who are fully initiated in the Body of Christ at the Easter Vigil. Beginning that new journey of faith in Jesus Christ, they become visible reminders to everyone of our continual journey toward the Father.
We are renewed inwardly as we deepen our awareness of the mystery of our salvation. The tomb is empty, yes, but we rejoice in Jesus’ victory over evil. We celebrate that belief that Jesus has truly risen from the dead as we look forward to sharing eternal life that he has won for us. His glorious resurrection brings us hope, joy and healing.
With the vaccination role out to help curb the spread of COVID 19, there is hope, hope that one day we will be able to see each other. Jesus filled many with hope not only in his ministry but also ultimately by his Death and Resurrection. As Daughters of Isabella may we be people of hope bringing the joy and happiness the women felt at the empty tomb that Easter morning to others.
Wishing all of you a Blessed and Happy Easter!!!
Fr. Trevor State Chaplain, Trillium-Ontario