“And as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, why seek the living among dead? He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:5, 6)

 Every Easter celebration is a renewal of the proclamation made by the first disciples: Jesus is risen (Cf. Acts 10: 34-43). The resurrection of Christ is the principle of a new life for every man and woman, for true renewal always begins from the heart, from the conscience. Christ is alive! He is our hope and he brings newness to our world. He calls us and he waits for us to return to him and start again with youthfulness. Jesus through his Pasch- passion, death, and resurrection turns our deaths into life, our mourning into dancing as Psalms says “you have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy” (Psalms: 30:11). With Jesus we too can experience a Pasch, that is, from self-centeredness to communion, from desolation to consolation, from fear to confidence. Let us not keep our faces bowed to the ground in fear looking Jesus among the dead (Cf.Luke 24: 4-5) but raise our eyes to the risen Jesus. His gaze fills us with hope, for it tells us that however much we make a mess of things, his love remains unchanged. This is the one, non-negotiable certitude we have in life: his love does not change. With this great hope in the unchanging love of God, let us stay with peace and joy which the risen Lord gives us, especially in this difficult time in which the world is being startled and struggling by the spread of pandemic coronavirus. May this Easter bring comfort to the people who suffer from coronavirus. May the joy and peace of resurrection fill the hearts of those who are suffering from COVID-19. Let us not forget to be united with the coronavirus that affected people through our continuous and intensive prayers. Let us renew our support to all the doctors, nurses, all caretakers and the health department for their selfless service with our own cooperation with the restrictions advised. Wish you all a happy and Blessed Easter. May the risen Lord fill you all with His peace and joy in your personal and community life.