StJoGreenwich
The Newsletter
April 12th 2025 to April 20th 2025
Where do I need resurrection in my life?
Jan Ludwig Lund: The Resurrection of Christ
As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we stand at the heart of our Christian faith – the empty
tomb. Jesus, who was crucified, has risen. The darkness of Good Friday gives way to the light of Easter morning. Death does not have the final word — life does. The discovery of Mary Magdalene at the tomb reflects that something beyond understanding has happened. The tomb was quiet and most importantly empty. The emptiness of the tomb is full of meaning. It speaks volumes: Jesus is not there because He is alive. And yet, the disciples don’t understand right away. Even in the face of the empty tomb, they are still grasping for answers. Isn’t that like us? Sometimes we struggle to see God’s hand at work. We look for signs, but they’re not always dramatic. Often, God works in the quiet, in the ordinary, in the unexpected. Easter invites us to believe even when we don’t fully understand. To trust that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is still at work — in the Church, in our lives, in the world. This is not just a day to celebrate something that happened thousands of years ago. It is a call to live as resurrection people — to choose hope over despair, love over fear, life over death. So where do you need resurrection in your life? Maybe it’s in a broken relationship. Or in a place of doubt. Maybe it’s in the daily grind where faith feels dry. The risen Christ meets us there. He calls us by name, as He later does with Mary Magdalene. He opens our eyes to see that the story isn’t over — new life is possible. Let’s go from this Easter Sunday not just as people who admire the resurrection, but as people transformed by it. May we be bearers of hope, signs of God’s mercy, and witnesses to the truth that love has conquered all. Christ is risen! Let that truth echo in our hearts — today and every day. Amen.
Fr Patrice
George went on a vacation to the Middle East with most of his family including his mother-in-law. During their vacation and while they were visiting Jerusalem, George’s mother-in-law died. With the death certificate in hand, George went to the American Consulate to make arrangements to send the body back to the States for proper burial. The Consul, after hearing of the death of the mother-in-law, told George that the sending of a body back to the States for burial could cost as much as $5,000. The Consul continued, “In most cases the person decides to bury the body here. It's much cheaper." George answered, “I don’t care how much it will cost to send the body back; that’s what I want to do.” The Consul said, “You must have loved your mother-in-law very much, considering the difference in price. "it’s not that!” said George. “You see, I heard of a man who many years ago died and was buried here in Jerusalem. On the third day he arose from the dead. I just can’t take that chance!”
Sequence
Victimae paschali laudes immolent Christiani. Agnus redemit oves: Christus innocens Patri reconciliavit peccatores.
Mors et vita duello conflixere mirando:dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus.
Dic nobis Maria, quid vidisti in via?Sepulcrum Christi viventis, et gloriam vidi resurgentis
Angelicos testes, sudarium, et vestes.
Surrexit Christus spes mea: praecedet vos in Galilaeam. Scimus Christum surrexisse a mortuis vere: tu nobis, victor Rex, miserere.
Amen. Alleluia.
Christians, to the Paschal Victim offer sacrifice and praise.
The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb; and Christ, the undefiled, hath sinners to his Father reconciled.
Death with life contended: combat strangely ended! Life's own Champion, slain, yet lives to reign.
Tell us, Mary: say what thou didst see upon the way. The tomb the Living did enclose; I saw Christ's glory as He rose!
The angels there attesting; shroud with grave-clothes resting.
Christ, my hope, has risen: He goes before you into Galilee. That Christ is truly risen from the dead we know. Victorious King, Thy mercy show!
Amen. Alleluia.
