After this very long winter, we finally gather today to celebrate the wonderful Spring celebration of Easter. All during Lent, people have been saying: Will this winter ever end?”, underscoring the need we all feel for New Life. Jesus Christ rises from the dead and turns winter into spring, death into new life!

This past week, we have journeyed from the triumph of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the moving experience of the Last Supper - His farewell to His beloved apostles, His betrayal and scourging, His humiliation and final breaths on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”.

“There is no greater love than this: that a man would lay down his life for His friends”.

And yet here we are, three days later, and Jesus is no longer in the tomb. His friends and apostles are frightened, confused, and guilty. But He gently comes into their midst, bringing hope and promise, healing and forgiveness. True to His word He has conquered sin and death and has risen as He said. Death has no more power over Him! And the disciples are now free to celebrate and rejoice!

Easter is that wonderful time of year when everything feels new again. It is that time of year when nature promises summer months ahead; when the somber weeks of Lent transform into the Alleluias of the Risen Lord. The great mysteries of our faith are celebrated anew.

We pray that this season will renew you in your faith and refresh you in the great love God has for you.

“God so loved the world that HE gave his only that all who believe in him might have life to the fullest”!!!

HAPPY EASTER!!