Once again I have the pleasure to greet you a Happy Easter. I do it not only to respond to the numerous greetings that I receive on these days from individual brothers and communities, but also to share with you the joyous news of the Lord’s resurrection. He is Risen!, the apostles were told by Mary Magdalene, and that short news was everything they needed to have their fainted hearts uplifted. ‘He is Risen!’ we are told every year at Easter, and that short news ought to be all we likewise need to have our fainted hearts uplifted. Still let me add: May His peace and joy be with you!
Here in Hong Kong, where I am writing these lines, our good Bishop has reminded the Catholics of his diocese to be happy and grateful at Easter time. Reasons for it are plenty, according to him; some of them he quoted from a 2.400-year-old Chinese book in the form of a story: “In the area of Mount Tai a Master came across a man wearing rather poor clothing; he was strumming a guitar and singing a song. When he asked him ‘¿Why are you so happy?’ he replied: There are many things to be happy about. First, Heaven has brought forth everything in the world; among them, human beings are the most valuable. I am a human being. This is the first happy matter. Secondly, of those born as human beings some die even before opening their eyes and some die in their swaddling clothes. But I have been able to live until middle age. This is the second happy matter. Finally, poverty is common in a human being’s life and death only signifies reaching our final destination. However, I am peacefully and normally going along in the direction of a human being´s final destination. Is there anything else I should be worried about? And the Master felt great admiration for him.’
In addition to these, the Bishop added two more reasons to be happy and thankful this year in Hong Kong. The first is that 3600 adults receive the sacraments of Christian Initiation on the Easter Vigil and become members of the great Catholic family. Secondly, because more and more Catholics are happily pursuing further theological education so that they can participate in the mission of the Church by becoming volunteer catechists or evangelizers effectively spreading the gospel by their words and deeds.
I am sure that in your respective places these same things are happening, too. They should produce in us happiness and gratitude and move us to take at heart Pope Francis’ appeal on his message for the Year of Consecrated Life: Be joyful witnesses of the gospel. Be evangelizers who trust in God and courageously carry out the work of evangelization. Unite with one another and be concerned for the poor, so that the Kingdom of God will be realized soon throughout the whole world.
Brothers, Jesus live on! Alleluia! His Resurrection is a pledge of our own resurrection. So let us rejoice and be thankful. Happy Easter!
Javier González, OP
Provincial
St. Joseph House
Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, April 2015