“Each time we display our love of others, we share in the Resurrection”

Reflection for Easter from Sr Margaret Cashman, SMG Superior General

My wish for each of you on Easter Sunday is that of Ven. Mother Magdalen Taylor: “I wish you all a happy Easter, full of graces; graces of renewal of spirit, of fresh strength and energy in our Lord’s service”.

As we celebrate another Easter, we thank the Lord for His goodness to us in coming on earth as one of us and redeeming us through his life, suffering, death, and Resurrection.  Because of the Resurrection, our life is now stronger than death, stronger than all suffering and pain and we are called to bring life to one another and to our world - life that brings joy, not fear and where justice and love triumph.

We reflect on the role of women in the final days of Christ’s life.  They were on Calvary at the foot of the cross.  Following Christ’s death, they prepared spices to anoint His body.  Early on Sunday morning they were prepared to anoint Christ’s body.  Mary Magdalen was the first to reach the tomb.  She did not find what she was looking for, the dead body of Jesus, but she found something better than she could have imagined: The Risen Jesus. Mary, the first witness to the Resurrection, told Peter what she had seen.  Then the other women came to the tomb also.  How do we reflect the role of these women in our Communities today?

Resurrection is Good News, but at the same time, it’s sometimes painful because it involves death.  Easter reminds us that every Good Friday in our lives will have an Easter Sunday, and that Jesus will let us share the power of his Resurrection.  Each time we display our love of others, we share in the Resurrection.  Each time we continue to hope – even when our hope seems unanswered – we share in the power of Jesus’ Resurrection.   The message of Easter is that nothing can destroy us – not pain, sin, rejection, betrayal, or death – because Christ has conquered all these, and we, too, can conquer them if we put our Faith and trust in Him. 

This Easter, we pray to the Risen Lord , remembering people who are suffering the devastating effects of conflict and war, that they may be comforted, have peace, and a place to call home again.  May it be an Easter of Resurrection and true change for each of us, an experience of genuine inner renewal that opens new horizons to our lives and gives new rhythm to our journey together.