Tag: Easter

“O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? Christ is risen and you are abolished. Christ is risen and the demons are cast down. Christ is risen and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen and life is freed. Christ is risen and the tomb is emptied of the dead: for Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the Leader and Reviver of those who had fallen asleep. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.” (taken from an Easter homily by St John Chrysostom).

Happy Easter, my friends! Let’s reflect on the meaning of Easter in our lives. Our renewal of our baptismal promises must lead us to rise in Christ; to commit ourselves to take our belief in the risen Christ out into the world with us; to be His instruments of justice and peace.

The sight of thousands of golden daffodils everywhere in London, “tossing their heads in sprightly dance” (Wordsworth), reminds me of the many gifts given to us by God. Today, Palm Sunday, I shall be joining family and friends in London in an annual procession as we begin our journey through Holy Week, following Christ to His crucifixion on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is important that families and schools educate youth about Holy Week. On-going faith formation is critical – particularly after Confirmation.

“Resurrexi et adhuc tecum sum – I arose, and am still with you; you have set your hand upon me.”

On behalf of members of CCSJ, I wish you all a happy and holy Easter. Christ has risen, Alleluia! Let us say like St Augustine: “We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song.”

Today we celebrate the most important event in the history of humankind – the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The resurrection is central to our faith as Catholics. By rising from the dead, Jesus freed us from original sin. That is what we call “radical love”. As today’s Psalm 118 says, the Lord’s “steadfast love endures forever.”