Alleluia Alleluia He Is Risen, Indeed He is Risen. Be Hopeful Indeed Our Lord is Risen.

by Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F.  |  04/20/2025  |  Weekly Reflection

Beloved Parishioners,

Easter teaches us to always hope in Christ, to always believe in him because he makes all things new. The Easter proclamation invites us to be aware we have a living God who is alive and with us even when it may be difficult to see him with our physical eye, but he is risen and alive.

The joy of Easter is to proclaim and shout Alleluia to every corner that Jesus is Risen, that he is with us. We live in very trying moments when it is not easy to proclaim our faith in public places, but the celebration of Easter invites us to go off our fear and let the world and those around know that Jesus is risen. We do that more by a life of witness to the living God who has conquered death.

In the resurrection story, the apostles witnessed the empty tomb which changed their lives after some moments of incredulity at the beginning, but they could no longer doubt anymore that what they had witnessed is credible and authentic. Furthermore, when Jesus was buried, a big stone was used to cover the door of the sepulcher not only that Christ was buried but the hope of his followers was dashed. At the resurrection, the stone was rolled away by the power of God who raised Jesus from the tomb and at the same time ushering in a new hope that would change the course of events. The celebration of Easter is to believe that the power that removed the stone at the door of the tomb will equally roll away anything preventing us from rising to new life with Christ. The power that raised Jesus from the tomb will remove any force that is against your peace and happiness at this moment. The hope that was dashed on that Good Friday is now alive therefore be hopeful, be confident and be not afraid that Jesus is alive and with us.

Finally, my beloved people of God, my simple message of Easter to you all is to believe and never doubt the power of God in your lives. Today you are encouraged to make a firm decision of faith that you will never doubt his love and power in your life. The risen Lord is alive with us and our faith is credible.

Happy Easter to you all.