Alleluia! Alleluia!  He is risen as he said!  Alleluia!  For two thousand years the Christian community has rejoiced every Easter to this triumphant chant!  The words the angel spoke to Mary Magdalene and the other women on that first Easter morn are just as true for us today.  Do not be amazed!  Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified whom you seek is not here.  He has been raised.  Behold the place where they laid him.

            The women were concerned that they would be unable to reach Christ because of the stone.  They were surprised to find the stone already removed.  We have concerns as well.  We fear that our sins, our selfishness, our intolerance might block our way to the living one of God.  Do not be surprised!  The path has been cleared.  The stone has been removed!  Jesus, the Son of the God, has gone before us and now he leads the way.

            The great lesson of this and every Easter morning is that we cannot find the living one among the dead.  The Christ cannot be found in a tomb.  He can only be found in the company of his Bride, the Church, in her sacraments, in you and me, and the other members of his Mystical Body!  Rejoice!  He is truly risen!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  We have been transformed.  St. John teaches in his gospel that, "to those who did accept him he gave the power to become children of God..." (Jn 1, 12).

            May this Easter season begin a time of healing and peace in your life and in your family.  May you take your place with the saints as you proclaim with your daily life that Jesus Christ is your Lord, today and always!