Easter Blessings

Peace and Easter blessings be upon all of you.

The Lord appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and greeted them, saying, “Peace be to you.” Many times in Sacred Scripture our blessed Lord offers His peace. So it is in our lives, the Lord Jesus stands in our midst and says, “ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

The challenges experienced through the past years and months as the world events will be far-reaching: the heavy toll of that brought by the pandemic itself on those who experience its effects, the loss of human lives, the suffering borne by families and communities throughout the world.

As we prepare to celebrate Easter, one might ask if this is the appropriate time in the midst of the ongoing global crisis to proclaim the Good News that Jesus Christ is risen. Those who first witnessed the resurrection offer a response that is timely-those who go to the tomb are burdened with disappointment and grief having witnessed His sacrificial death and encountered the Risen Christ Jesus who says to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Jesus’ response to those who encountered Him on that glorious morn of His resurrection resounds for us today. As we face the many challenges brought by the crisis we are experiencing, we are assured not to be afraid and we are called to proclaim Jesus as the Risen Lord in whom our faith is placed.

At the beginning of the celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass, the light of the Paschal Candle is processed into a darkened Church which then quickly becomes bathed in light as the candles people hold are lit from that one flame. We must not forget this Easter symbol of the risen Christ. The Paschal Candle continues to represent the light of Christ which dispels the darkness and the resurrection of Christ which overcomes sin and death. Our belief in the resurrection is the light of faith that can bring joy and hope amid despair.

May the spirit of Easter will be for all of us, an unsettling and challenging time to celebrate and witness the joy and hope that is so central to this
solemn feast. Let us recognize in these times the blessings, graces, and consolations of God which may have been hidden from view in the usual routines of life. With eyes of faith, we see our life experiences as occasions that can draw us closer to God.

This year we officially launched our preparation for the Jubilee Year of St. Bartholomew Parish as we are looking forward with great anticipation to the 50 years of celebration of God’s love among us in our faith community and may the intercession of our patron and guide – Saint Bartholomew the Apostle be with us always.

I would like to thank those who already have given their pledges for the Heritage Wall. May God bless you and your family.