Easter Message from Bishop Marcel Damphousse
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April 1, 20182018 Easter Message from Bishop Marcel Damphousse:
You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has been raised, he is not here. Look, there is the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.
(Mark 16: 6-7)
Dear Parishioners,
The events that we have recently celebrated during Holy Week led us to this Easter Day when the good news is proclaimed to us once again: "He is Risen!" Yes, Jesus is alive, risen from the dead, just as he had promised and predicted. This conviction is the promise of our faith.
The Gospel proclaimed during the Easter Vigil entrusts us with a mission while assuring us that Jesus is truly and actively present in our lives.
"Go tell his disciples..."
The good news of the Resurrection of Jesus must not only be received, but it must also be proclaimed. Every Christian is called to announce, by his/her words and actions, that Jesus is alive, present and working in the life and heart of every person.
"He precedes you in Galilee, there you will see him."
Galilee is where the disciples live, it is their "home". The good news of the Resurrection will be announced to them on their own turf. Jesus precedes them and meets them in their life and work environment, in all the events of their daily lives. Jesus also meets us in our own "Galilee", where we are physically, but also spiritually. He does not wait for us to be perfect Christians before relating to us. He precedes us in every moment, here and now, and he journeys with us, as he did with the disciples of Emmaus. Will we recognize him and be witnesses of his transforming presence?
Let us allow this mystery of life, love and salvation to fill our hearts. May our "Alleluia" express our joy, faith and commitment as disciples of the Risen Christ. Happy Easter!
Yours in the Risen Christ,
+Marcel Damphousse
Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie
