Alleluia is the word we proclaim, sing, and shout on Easter Sunday. This Hebrew word means praise to Him who is, praise God. How fitting it is that we praise God each glorious Sunday. May you be filled with the joy of the Risen Lord, a joy that transcends all understanding.

     While Christmas may hold a special place in our hearts due to its sentimental value, Easter is undeniably the most significant day in our faith. It's the day when Jesus Christ, having taken on human form, triumphed over sin and death, rising victoriously from the grave. Without this pivotal event, there would be no cause for our joyous celebration. 

    Our jubilation is not without reason. We celebrate because Jesus, through his death and resurrection, has conquered sin and death, offering us the promise of eternal life.

     Our celebration is not just a commemoration of past events, but a declaration of our future hope. We rejoice because, by following Jesus, we too can share in his resurrection and the promise of eternal life.

     At every Mass, we encounter the Risen Lord and incredibly, amazingly, wondrously enter into communion with Him, especially in the Eucharist. Never forget this, never take this for granted, never be absent. The Easter season lasts 50 days, from Easter to Pentecost. It is a longer season than Lent because we are an Easter people.

     Alleluia!

Peace in the Risen Christ,

Father Maassen (edited, reprinted and re-inspired)