THE OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSION SOUTH EAST UK

The Most Glorious of Mysteries

Today is the glorious Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord, the most uplifting feast of the year. As the Apostles discovered, as millions who came after them, and as we see today. YES! It was worth it! But He could not have risen had He not died willingly for us on the wood of the Cross which we commemorated on Good Friday. Today our somber tone has turned to joy and exhilaration. Let us all resurrect in our hearts, minds and souls what this means and recommit ourselves to carrying out Christ's words in Matthew 28: 10, "Do not be afraid..." and keep the Faith no matter what the odds, no matter how great the resistance, ennui, or apostasy. In all things He is "the Truth, the Way, and the Life" (John 14: 6).

What is there left to say that hasn't been said? The mourning is over. It is time to celebrate the triumph over death. Today we need to proclaim from the rooftops the culture of Life and the teachings of Jesus Christ over the pagan culture of death and satan's lies. This has become all the more evident in light of the national attention on one person - Theresa Marie Kathleen Schindler-Schiavo who, like her Master, has suffered, mocked and ridiculed. But when she breathes her last breath, will be comforted by the One Who promised "the resurrection of the body and life everlasting." Alleluia.

He is risen. Alleluia. It is time for us to rise, just as the flowers of spring blossom, so also must our faith, courage and conviction bloom so that we may beautify this world with the love of Jesus and His Blessed Mother Mary as They have asked us, Their loyal remnant.

A flower that remains dormant in the spring will wither and die. So also, if we do not use the talents God has given us and preach to all as Jesus charges us to do in Matthew 28: 18-20 for all we need do is remember His words "Be not afraid" (Matthew 28:10).

As we come to the end of another Lent and embrace with joy the Glorious Resurrection, let us remember that we cannot achieve the Resurrection unless we have first embraced and borne the Cross, suffered with Jesus, and died to ourselves in and for Him. Leave the rest to God. Let Him decide what is best, and how and when to use us in His Plan of Salvation. This is His Immaculate Mother Mary's call to all of us. This is her plea to all her little ones gathered beneath her loving and protective mantle.

The cross each carries will be different. But they all come from the One True Cross of Christ, Who alone is the Savior of the world. If we look only to Him, then we'll stop looking at one another, making comparisons, allowing our human weakness to get the better of us, and allowing satan to keep us divided. If we look only at Jesus on the Cross and then see Him gloriously risen from the dead, how can we be divided? He died for all mankind, even though He knew there would be many who would not accept Him. He did not compare or grumble or complain. He was obedient to the Divine Will, even unto death. And so, too, must we be.

We must decrease that He may increase in us. Let this be for us the motto of every day henceforth, that with Mary, we may stand fearlessly at the foot of the Cross, and with her offer our lives for the salvation of our own soul and the souls of others. This way the Resurrection takes on a new meaning - the flowering of fulfillment - the evangelization of God's Love. We offer Jesus' Own words in St. John 11: 25-26 as proof that if we trust in Him we will conquer every obstacle and be united with Him forever. "I am the Resurrection and the Life; he that believeth in Me, although he be dead, shall live. And every one that liveth and believeth in Me, shall not die for ever. Believest thou this?"