This was our Easter reflection:

Let the world rejoice. Let our hearts be glad. No longer need we cry.

Let everything that breathes proclaim: Jesus is life!

Easter is the time filled with wonder! This is the time filled with light!

Praise Him our Risen Lord: Jesus is life!

We lit an Easter Candle as a visible sign of Christ’s invisible presence. In lighting a Paschal Candle, we are reminded that it is our Christian calling to make Christ’s presence visible in our world. We make Christ’s presence visible in our world by firstly acknowledging that he dwells within our hearts—whenever we proclaim Jesus as our Lord and Master, we are committing to living out the Greatest Commandment; that is, “to love one another”. We also make Christ’s invisible presence visible by our actions. Whenever we show mercy, we are being Christ to others; whenever we are being kind, caring and gentle, we are being Christ to others; whenever we act with compassion, courage, and justice, we are being Christ to others; whenever we speak the truth, pursue peace, and live with hope, we are being Christ to others. As our College motto reminds us, “the Lord is [our] light” and we are called to be a light to the world. Jesus teaches us that we “are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Our good works manifest God in our world.

Christ triumphs upon the Cross, giving light for us all. Christ you’re the morning star. Christ you’re the fire, like this candle burning here shed your light on us all.

 Easter is the time filled with wonder! This is the time filled with light!

Praise Him our Risen Lord: Jesus is life! Everlasting Life!

From Luke’s gospel, we read the story of the two travellers on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) which is a story about an encounter with the Risen Christ. The encounter as it is told in this story is also every person’s encounter with Jesus. An encounter with Jesus begins with an understanding and acceptance of life as it is. The two disciples are sad about Jesus having been crucified. However, they are also coming to terms with the news that Jesus is alive again. When Jesus explains things, he uses the Scriptures. During this time of social distancing and isolation, we have been prevented from gathering in churches. As a way of making up for this, many of us may have spent time at home reading the Bible and reflecting on its messages. This has brought us comfort, just as Jesus’ explanations of the Scriptures brought comfort to the two travellers. They admit to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” The next stage of the encounter with Jesus is an invitation. After Jesus had explained the Scriptures and the travellers had reached their destination, the story tells us that Jesus “walked ahead as if he were going on.” Jesus waits for an invitation. It is up to us to firstly offer the invitation for Jesus to “stay with us” and then to offer him a place at our “table”—the table being a symbol for our life.

Angelo Gattone - Mission Coordinator