The Resurrection of the Lord - Year C

Today we reach the high point of the Church’s year and celebrate the essence of our Catholic faith, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. In fact, today is the reason for the Church’s existence. This was the event that would not only inspire and motivate those early disciples to enthusiastically proclaim their belief in Jesus as the living Son of God, but also change many lives in the centuries that followed and shape many different cultures.

This Easter event is very much about Jesus’ ongoing presence with us in and through the Church, the sacraments, through our community and through our endeavours to love and live his words of life.

The resurrection is the fulfilment of God’s promise that he would be with us always. We are so blessed in that we have the greatest power, the greatest love in existence that seeks to embrace us and lead us, eventually, to His eternal dwelling. Of course, our faith is not simply about what happens after our death; it’s very much about what happens in life too. Thus, it is our longing that as we journey through life we will be touched by moments of resurrection, moments of new life that will transform us and deepen our faith, hope and love.

God our Father, creator of all, today is the day of Easter joy. This is the morning on which the Lord appeared to His followers who had begun to lose their hope and opened their eyes to what the scriptures foretold. May the light of the risen Lord dispel the darkness of our minds and hearts so that we may recognise His presence among us and faithfully follow Him, who is our life and joy. Grant this through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wishing you and your loved ones Easter joy and peace!

Fr Brett