Life is very hard for many people at the moment. All over the world and very close to home we see hardship, suffering and struggle. Some of it we bring on ourselves by our own choices, but a lot of it is the result of human pride, greed and violence. As a result there is so much fear and anxiety felt by so many people right now. Is there any way through all this hardship? Is there any way to peace?
Easter is the celebration of new life, of the real possibility of healing in our troubled world. With the raising of Jesus from the dead, God has made a new beginning for his whole creation. But the trouble for us can be that we keep seeing Easter as belonging to the past. We can easily think of Jesus rising from the dead on Easter Sunday morning, and not realise that Easter is now!
Jesus the Living One is alive and active in our lives and in our world today. Even in our violent and fractured world; even in our battered and bruised church; even in our personal and family life, the power of the Risen One is still here and active with us. The Risen One still brings mourners joy, He still casts out hatred and brings some peace into all our turmoil. If we look around us this Easter we will see the signs of new life.
I invite you to join with the whole Parish family this holy Week and experience the hope and peace of the Risen Jesus among the Eucharist and the ceremonies of Holy Week will touch our lives with the love and peace of Jesus Christ. Come along with your family and celebrate the joy of the Risen Lord.
Happy and blessed Easter to you and your family.
Fr Bernard.