A Happy and Blessed Easter to you all! Yes, after all the drama of Holy Week from the euphoria of Palm Sunday to the intimacy of the Last Supper and then the desolation of Good Friday – we come to the explosion of joy and new life which is Easter. These days take us to the very core of our faith in Jesus Christ – what an incredible time of renewal Holy Week is for us all. Thanks be to God! Thank you Lord Jesus!!!

In what at times can seem like a very dark and broken world, the Resurrection promises us that in the end love does triumph over hatred, peace does triumph over chaos and conflict, forgiveness and reconciliation does triumph over bitterness and revenge. Life is stronger than death and good stronger than evil. God has the last word and the Resurrection of Jesus is that final word.

Today we read John’s Gospel account of the Resurrection. He tells the story of how on that first Easter morning he himself ran to the tomb. There he sees that the tomb is empty except for the Jesus’ neatly folded burial cloths. Because John is a disciple who sees with the eyes of love, he understands immediately what all this means – he knows that Christ has risen from the dead and so no longer needs his grave clothes. He sees this spiritual Spring and dawn of new life. And so, in writing his Gospel, he invites us to trust in his testimony and believe in the Resurrection. Then we too, like John, are called to bring the good news of this new life to others – to be witnesses of Christ’s resurrection.

Talking of new life… HUGE congratulations to all who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and/or Confirmation this Easter - Alice, Latifa, Tia, Diana, JohnJo, Jack, Amelia and Isaac. Welcome to the family of the Church! What gifts you have received! What a gift you are to us! Together may we all be heralds of the Resurrection Happy Easter once again to you and all your family!

With prayers & blessings - Fr Richard, Fr Ephrem & all the parish team
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