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

乌克兰的战争和持续肆虐全球的的Covid-19 ，使我们觉得这个世界正处于可怕的黑暗中。然而，这个复活的星期天提醒我们，我们并不孤单。墓石已经滚开了，安放耶稣的墓穴是空的。它是空的，因为耶稣基督今天复活了，哈利路亚！耶稣基督今天复活了，哈利路亚！

是的，耶稣复活了，他就在我们中间。通过你，通过我，通过教会，我们继续执行耶稣所赋予的使命。福音中的妇女将第一个复活主日发生的一切，传报给十一个门徒和其他的人。同样的，我们也要去把这个好消息传报出去。让我们活出洗礼后所领受的的新生命，来传报这个好消息。我们效法耶稣的榜样，用爱服务他人，成为主内的兄弟姐妹。尤其是帮助穷人，帮助有需要的人，他们就是在我们身边的耶稣。

教宗方济各提醒我们，帮助病人和那些需要帮助的人，就是帮助基督。以耶稣为榜样，融入社会。与所有人分享生命，倾听人们的需要，在物质和精神上帮助他们。与喜乐的人一同喜乐，与哭泣的一同哭泣。

我记得一个四岁小男孩和他的邻居的故事。小男孩看到邻居有一位最近丧偶的老先生在院子里哭，他就进了院子，坐到老先生的腿上，就坐在那里。后来，小男孩的母亲问他对悲伤的老先生说了什么。他说：“没什么，我只是帮他哭”。我只是帮他哭。是的，我们进入社会，分享生命，倾听担忧，在物质和精神上满足他们的需要，与快乐的人快乐，与哭泣的一起哭泣。

我们在圣若瑟教堂就有许多做慈善事业的的志工。例如，约翰玛丽姐妹的储藏室，难民委员会，与圣文森特德保罗会。在其他方面，我们也与那些需要帮助的人共享，与快乐的人一起欢呼，与哭泣的人一起流泪。

耶稣复活了，耶稣确实复活了。我们并不孤单，因为天主在我们中间，永远与我们同行。请你们记住，基督宗教的本质并不是规章。基督宗教的核心是人，是耶稣基督，那个真正复活的人。是我们要向其他人宣扬的那个耶稣基督。我们可以通过彼此相爱来宣扬祂，也可以让别人施恩于我，成为我们的基督来宣扬祂。

在现实的生活中，我们会经历到黑暗，现在就是。黑暗可能不会很快地消失。但我们对复活的主有信心，祂会帮助我们度过难关。最后，正如教宗方济各说：“让复活的主进入你的生命，进入你的生活。欢迎祂，就像欢迎你的朋友一样。信任祂，耶稣愿意与你亲近，与你同在，与你同行，祂会赐给你平安和力量。