Easter Message 2024

 

OAPCE

Easter 2024 message from the Liaison Bishop

✠ Yvan Mathieu, SM

Dear members of the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE), on the occasion of the Easter Vigil, the Evangelist Mark will recount how the women discovered the empty tomb of Jesus on Easter morning. “When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ ” (Mark 16:1-3)

Let us contemplate what inhabited the women’s hearts as they went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. These women had been touched by Jesus’ healing hand, transformed by his words, and they became his disciples. They had put their hope in him. But their hope seemed to die on the cross with Jesus on Good Friday. Not only did death deprived them of their master, but a stone had been rolled against the door of the tomb. How would they be able to enter and pay respect to the one who loved them so much?

As we are about to celebrate the 85th anniversary of OAPCE, similar thoughts might be present in our hearts. After all these years, the commitment of Parents towards Catholic education is still needed. It seems that the necessity to engage in favor of catholic education, to advocate catholic education and enhance it will never end. “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”

Just like the women who went to the tomb on Easter morning, we are invited to look up and see that, through the Resurrection of Christ, “the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.” (Mark 16:4) Indeed, “Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified […] has been raised.” (Mark 16:6) “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” (Romans 6:9) He is with us until the end of times. 

The angel who appeared to the women concluded his message, saying, “go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” (Mark 16:7) This is our mission today. Yes indeed, the risen Lord did not leave us alone. He is going ahead of us in the Galilees of our lives. He is leading the way as we engage, advocate and enhance Catholic education through our commitment to OAPCE. May the presence of the risen Lord sustain our efforts so that the future generations be able to know him, love him and serve him as committed Catholic disciples. Amen. Alleluia.

Happy Easter 2024!
✠ Yvan Mathieu, SM
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