Pastor's Message - April 19/20, 2025
My Dear Friends in Christ,
HAPPY EASTER!
Today, we join with Christians around the world to proclaim with joy and unwavering faith:
HE IS RISEN!
This is the day that changed everything—when love conquered death and light shattered the darkness. It is a day that offers us renewed hope and fresh strength, especially as we navigate the challenges of our time: soaring inflation, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the heartbreaking conflict in Gaza, and the continued division within our society.
Yet even amid uncertainty and suffering, Easter shines as the climax of God’s redemptive love—a reminder that life has meaning, that love triumphs, and that death is not the end.
On this Easter Sunday, we rise with Christ!
Let us stand, clap our hands, stomp our feet, and lift our voices in joyful praise! Why not? Today we celebrate the greatest masterpiece of all time: Christ is Risen!
Let us sing a hymn of thanksgiving for all that God has done through His Son. As St. John Chrysostom insightfully noted: “If the body was stolen, the thieves would not have removed the linen; it would have been easier to carry the body with the linen than without it.”
The Gospel of John recounts that “on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning and saw the stone removed.” In her confusion, she ran to Peter and the other disciples, proclaiming, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb!” But when Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved reached the tomb, they found only the burial cloths. They saw—and they believed.
My friends, if Christ had not risen, then our suffering would be meaningless, our faith would be empty, our love powerless, and our death hopeless. But because He has risen, our hope is alive! Through His Resurrection, we are assured of God's eternal love and the promise of new life.
As Karl Rahner beautifully said:
“Now we pass over from the bondage of Satan to the freedom of Christ; from an insecure world to the certainty of the kingdom of God; from our mortal lives to the abiding presence of God.”
Yes, there are those who remain skeptical—perhaps because of the darkness that still lingers in the world. But faith, as Scripture and experience remind us, does not always come from what is seen. As the theologian Raymond Brown observed:
“Faith may arise from direct witnessing of an event. But merely seeing is not a sure guarantee of faith. Faith may also arise from the testimony of those who were blessed with the privilege of direct witnessing.”
So, we proclaim: HE IS RISEN! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
He has conquered death, and the gates of heaven have been thrown open for all who believe. Baptized into His death and resurrection, we now walk in the freedom of His victory.
Truly, we rejoice today—but what about tomorrow? How do we carry Easter joy into our everyday lives?
I believe this begins by refusing to let the darkness of the world overshadow the light of Christ. Easter must not be a one-day celebration; it must become a daily reality. Now more than ever, the world needs redemption—and Christ has already begun that work in us.
He who lived in love, died for love, and rose in glory is alive! And He is with us still.
So let us celebrate boldly. Let us love deeply. Let us live joyfully.
May the Risen Christ empower us to live with courage, goodness, and unwavering love.
It has been a wonderful journey! Thank you to all who helped us in our celebrations!
From the heart of our parish family—on behalf of Fr. Salvador, Francisco, Deacon Ben, our Pastoral Staff, Office Volunteers, Pastoral Council, and Finance Council—I wish you and your loved ones a truly blessed and joyful Easter!
In the Risen Christ,
Fr. Geoffrey
