Fr. Raj: "Easter is a Time For Hope!"

Hello Dear Brothers and Sisters,

When Fr. Chris our Pastor, asked me to write some reflections regarding Easter, I thought it’s a great opportunity to break the silence. I really appreciate the efforts and the timely intervention of Fr. Chris in livestreaming the Holy Mass and Compline that way we are all connected. He also checks on me and in turn he tells you about me.

Believe that all of you are doing good by the grace of God! I am doing good and I feel better that I have more time to be with the Lord! The primary duty of a Priest is to offer sacrifices, administer the Sacraments and to intercede for his people. I celebrate Mass every day, spending more time in prayer therefore you are very much in my thoughts and prayers. Thus, though we have not seen for a while but these days all the more connected spiritually.

I do pray for our country and world at large for the healing and to contain this pandemic of Covid-19. In the Bible the Lord has said almost 365 times “Do not be afraid”, “Fear Not”, “Trust the Lord” Therefore let’s strengthen each other through our prayers. There is light for sure at the end of a tunnel, so we are in the tunnel for time being.

Dear friends, Easter is known as the mystery of mysteries because it is the greatest and the most important feast in the Church. It’s because of three reasons: 

1. The Resurrection of Christ is the basis of our Christian Faith.  It is the greatest of the miracles, for it proves that Jesus is God.  That is why St. Paul writes: “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain; and your Faith is in vain” (I Cor 15:14). “Jesus is Lord, He is risen!” (Rom 10:9), was the central theme of the kerygma (or “preaching”), of the apostles, because Jesus had prophesied His Resurrection as a sign of His Divinity:  The founder of no other religion has an empty tomb as Jesus has.  
2. Easter is the guarantee of our own resurrection.  Jesus assured Martha at the tomb of Lazarus: “I am the Resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me will live even though he dies” (Jn 11:25-26). 
3. Easter is a feast which gives us hope and encouragement in this world of pain, sorrows, and tears.  It reminds us that life is worth living. (Col: 1/27)  It is our belief in the Real Presence of the Risen Jesus in our souls, in His Church, in the Blessed Sacrament and in Heaven that gives meaning to our personal as well as our communal prayer, strength to fight against temptations, and freedom from unnecessary worries and fears.

As we become new being (death to sin, through the Lenten practices) in the Risen Lord, the Holy Spirit helps us to be aware and live in the presence of our Risen Lord. Our awareness of the all-pervading presence of the Risen Lord in and around us, and the strong conviction of our own coming resurrection, help us to  control our thoughts, desires, words and behavior.

Have a wonderful Easter filled with Joy Peace and Happiness.

Stay in and be safe!

Fr. Amrit, I.M.S.