Easter Sunday Mass - The Resurrection of the Lord
Msgr. Simas

With both the atrocities taking place in Ukraine and a continuing covet19 pandemic affecting our global society, we can say that presently the world is in darkness. However, this Easter Sunday reminds us that we are not alone. The stone has been rolled away, and the tomb in which Jesus had been placed is empty. And the tomb is empty because Jesus Christ is raised today. Alleluia! Jesus Christ has raised today, Alleluia! Jesus Christ is raised today, Alleluia!

Yes, Jesus has risen, he dwells among us, and his mission continues through you, and through me, through the church - his mystical body on earth. As the women in the gospel told the eleven and the others, all that had happened on that first Easter Sunday, we too are to go and tell this good news to the others. And this we do by living the new life that we have received through the sacrament of Baptism. Following the example of Jesus and serving others with love, by being his presence for one another. Especially for the poor, the needy, those who in term are Jesus' presence for us.

Pope Francis reminds us that the one who helps the sick and needy, touches the flesh of Christ, living present in our midst. And following Jesus' example, we want to enter fully into the fabric of society, sharing the lives of all, listening to their concern, helping them materially and spiritually in their needs. Rejoicing with those who rejoice, and yes weeping but those who weep. I remember the story of a little four-year-old boy and his uh neighbor - an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. And upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the gentleman's yard, climbed on his lap, and he just sat there. When the little boy's mother asked him what he had said to the grieving gentleman. He said "Nothing, I just helped him cry". I just helped him cry, yes, we want to enter fully into the fabric of society, sharing the lives of all, listening to their concerns, helping them materially and spiritually in their needs, and rejoicing with those who rejoice, and weeping with those who weep.

Our ministries here at Saint Joseph help us to facilitate this process. For example, with our Saint Vincent De Paul conference through sister John Marie’s pantry, and our refugee committee. In other ways as well, we are present to those in need, rejoicing with those who rejoice, and weeping with those who weep.

Yes, Jesus is risen indeed. We're not alone, we're not alone, he dwells among us, and walks with us, as we journey through this life. I'd ask all of us to remember that Christianity is not just a bunch of rules and regulations as important as they might be. Christianity is a person; Christianity is the person of Jesus Christ truly risen. He is the one about whom we're to go and tell the others. And we can do that by being as Christ to one another. And at the same time letting others be Christ to us as well.

Reality reminds us, there are times when we will experience darkness in our lives and in our world, such as now. Although the darkness may not quickly disappear, let us have faith; let us have faith in the risen one, who will help us through that darkness. And finally, as Pope Francis encourages: "let the risen Jesus enter your life, let him enter your life, and welcome him. Welcome as a friend and trust him. Be confident that he is close to you and that he is close to us. He is with you and he will be with you, and he will give you the peace you are looking for, and will give you the strength that you need to live. so, at this point I would like to invite everyone to stand as we renew our baptismal vows.

不要害怕

烏克蘭的戰爭和持續肆虐全球的的Covid-19 ，使我們覺得這個世界正處於可怕的黑暗中。然而，這個復活的星期天提醒我們，我們並不孤單。墓石已經滾開了，安放耶穌的墓穴是空的。它是空的，因為耶穌基督今天復活了，哈利路亞！耶穌基督今天復活了，哈利路亞！

是的，耶穌復活了，他就在我們中間。通過你，通過我，通過教會，我們繼續執行耶穌所賦予的使命。福音中的婦女將第一個複活主日發生的一切，傳報給十一個門徒和其他的人。同樣的，我們也要去把這個好消息傳報出去。讓我們活出洗禮後所領受的的新生命，來傳報這個好消息。我們效法耶穌的榜樣，用愛服務他人，成為主內的兄弟姐妹。尤其是幫助窮人，幫助有需要的人，他們就是在我們身邊的耶穌。

教宗方濟各提醒我們，幫助病人和那些需要幫助的人，就是幫助基督。以耶穌為榜樣，融入社會。與所有人分享生命，傾聽人們的需要，在物質和精神上幫助他們。與喜樂的人一同喜樂，與哭泣的一同哭泣。

我記得一個四歲小男孩和他的鄰居的故事。小男孩看到鄰居有一位最近喪偶的老先生在院子裡哭，他就進了院子，坐到老先生的腿上，就坐在那裡。後來，小男孩的母親問他對悲傷的老先生說了什麼。他說：“沒什麼，我只是幫他哭”。我只是幫他哭。是的，我們進入社會，分享生命，傾聽擔憂，在物質和精神上滿足他們的需要，與快樂的人快樂，與哭泣的一起哭泣。

我們在聖若瑟教堂就有許多做慈善事業的的志工。例如，約翰瑪麗姐妹的儲藏室，難民委員會，與聖文森特德保羅會。在其他方面，我們也與那些需要幫助的人共享，與快樂的人一起歡呼，與哭泣的人一起流淚。

耶穌復活了，耶穌確實復活了。我們並不孤單，因為天主在我們中間，永遠與我們同行。請你們記住，基督宗教的本質並不是規章。基督宗教的核心是人，是耶穌基督，那個真正復活的人。是我們要向其他人宣揚的那個耶穌基督。我們可以通過彼此相愛來宣揚祂，也可以讓別人施恩於我，成為我們的基督來宣揚祂。

在現實的生活中，我們會經歷到黑暗，現在就是。黑暗可能不會很快地消失。但我們對復活的主有信心，祂會幫助我們度過難關。最後，正如教宗方濟各說：“讓復活的主進入你的生命，進入你的生活。歡迎祂，就像歡迎你的朋友一樣。信任祂，耶穌願意與你親近，與你同在，與你同行，祂會賜給你平安和力量。