Happy Easter! Christ is Risen! He is truly Risen! Alleluia!

 

This is the high point of the Church year. Easter Sunday is not just a celebration of something that happened—it is the “defining moment” of who we are. As Christians, we are not just followers of a teacher, a healer, or even a prophet. We are followers of the Risen Christ, who conquered death so that we might live forever.

 

In the Book of Joy, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu reflect on what brings lasting joy, even in the face of suffering. One of their key insights is about perspective—that often, the way we view a situation shapes our reality more than the situation itself. It is easier to change our perspective than it is to change our feelings or thoughts. When we see from another’s point of view, the world shifts. We begin to understand more, judge less, and love more deeply.

 

Holy Week invites us into Christ’s perspective—especially the one from the Cross. On Holy Thursday at the celebration of the Lord’s Last Supper, we shared how Jesus gave us a new model to follow, a new perspective from which to form our viewpoint of the world, it was the form of service, the viewpoint of the lowest point of view literally! We are called to fall to our knees and serve one another and understand life from that lower perspective.

 

On Good Friday, we celebrated the Passion of Christ and Stations of the Cross and then venerated the cross, recognizing that the cross has a profound meaning in our lives. Christ showed us the way to endure and be transformed by the crosses of our lives. We all have crosses, sometimes small, other times large, and still other times monstrous and unbearable.

 

From that wooden beam of his cross, Jesus looked down not in anger, but with mercy. He forgave. He loved. He emptied himself entirely. And from that place of radical humility and suffering, he transformed the world forever. He calls us to follow that example of radical humility and allows ourselves to be transformed and look from the perspective of the resurrection beyond the cross.

 

Tonight at the Easter Vigil and tomorrow, on Easter Sunday, we celebrate that the story did not end on the Cross. The tomb is empty. Christ is risen. Death does not have the final word—LOVE does. That perspective changes everything.

 

We believe that eternal life is real—that this life is not the end, but the beginning of eternity. And that belief empowers us to live differently here and now. We are called to live with joy, with love, and with courage—to forgive freely, to serve humbly, and to love deeply.

 

So today—if only for today—hug the people you love. Look them in the eye and say, “I love you—forever.” Remind them that even though we will one day die, we will also live forever with Christ and with each other in the eternal embrace of God’s love. That is the truth beyond the Cross. That is the miracle of Easter.

 

And the best part? This gift is for everyone. No one is excluded. All we have to do is accept this free gift that God offers to us through Christ. It is that simple! Christ died and rose for all—no matter where they come from, what they believe, or what they’ve done. Everyone is welcome at our parish, at our liturgies, and in this community of faith.

 

Please invite your friends and family to join you at Mass this Easter. Maybe there’s someone who hasn’t been in a while. Maybe they’re just waiting to be asked. Let them know: they all belong. I look forward to seeing you all.

 

Tonight, Saturday, April 19th at 8:00 PM, we begin our Easter Vigil Mass in darkness with the blessing of a new fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle, we then process into the church with candles, accompanied by inspiring and stunning music singing praises to the Light of Christ. During this powerful liturgy we baptize and fully initiate new members into our Catholic family and joyously celebrate the Eucharist. A beautiful reception follows in the Parish Center to welcome our new members, all are welcome! Come celebrate with us!

 

On Easter Sunday morning, April 20th we have three Masses. Our schedule is:

7:30 AM – Easter Mass (with musicians, John Kellet and Jed DeTorres)

9:00 AM – Easter Family Mass (with John Kellett, the Youth Band and Jed DeTorres)

11:15 AM – Easter Mass (with Tamami Honma, the St. Simon Parish Adult Choir and Brass Ensemble)

 

Let us rejoice today with the full voice of the Church around the world: Alleluia, Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

With Easter joy and every blessing.

God Bless,

Fr. Brendan