Easter or Pascha is the feast commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day of his crucifixion at Calvary. Pascha signifies the end of 40-day period of fasting, prayer and penance that began on Ash Wednesday, and culminated in the Paschal Triduum.
The Paschal celebrations commenced at 7.00 p.m. with the blessing of fire. Water, which signifies life, was also blessed during the mass. The mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr Cyril Lobo Rev. Fr William Menezes and Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinho.
In his homily, Rev. Fr Cyril beautifully unravelled the Paschal mystery: Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a unique event in the history of mankind. His disciples were not sure if Jesus would rise, but His enemies were sure and therefore they sealed his grave. When Pontius Pilate asked Joseph of Arimathea why he allowed Jesus to be placed in his grave, he replied that Jesus will not stay there forever. With his resurrection, Jesus took entire humanity to another level and opened the beautiful world altogether behind the coffin and beyond the grave. American Bishop Fulton J. Sheen said, “In His death, Jesus did not die, but death itself died.” Jesus was not killed, but offered himself to God the Father and received his soul back on the third day. Though Jesus received a new body after resurrection, Mary of Magdala and the apostles recognised Him because within that new body, it was the same old Jesus. Empty grave and unfolded linen were proof that Jesus has risen. Jesus is the epitome of forgiveness.
The liturgy was led by the select young and old of the Parish and the members of Angelore Youth Movement were the volunteers. After the mass, the parishioners exchanged greetings of Easter.
The Angelore unit of Catholic Sabha had organised Lucky Chit and Housie Housie games in aid of repairing the house of a needy family of the parish. The parishioners enthusiastically participated in the games and made their contribution to the noble cause.
After the games the faithful left for their homes with the peace of the Risen Christ.
