Dear Beloved Parishioners,

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” – Luke 24:5-6

As we celebrate Easter—the heart of our Christian faith—we are reminded not only of a historical event, but of a profound psychological and spiritual truth: hope is stronger than despair, love is stronger than death, and healing is always possible.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the ultimate symbol of restoration and renewal. It speaks to the deepest part of our human experience—those moments when life feels broken, uncertain, or lost. I see this yearning for new life in the lives of many: the grieving parent, the anxious student, the weary caregiver, the person burdened by guilt or shame, the one navigating trauma or illness. Easter says to all of us: God is not done with you.

Jesus stepped into our human suffering fully— He wept, He struggled, He was wounded—and yet He rose. In doing so, He showed us that even the darkest chapters of our lives can be transformed. His wounds didn’t disappear after the Resurrection; they became sacred signs of victory. And so can yours.

Psychologist Carl Jung once said, “I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.” Easter invites us to become—again and again— people of light, resilience, and purpose.

St. Paul writes, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Let this be more than words—let it be our truth. The Resurrection is not just a promise of heaven, but an invitation to live differently now—with joy that isn’t naive, but rooted in the truth that suffering does not have the final word.

This Easter, may you allow the Risen Christ to roll away the stone that weighs on your heart—be it fear, regret, isolation, or doubt—and let new life emerge.

May your mind be renewed, Your heart be restored, And your soul rise in hope.

ishing you peace, healing, and the joy of the Resurrection,
Fr. Emmanuel Ihemedu, Ph.D., LPC
Pastor, St. John Paul the Great Parish

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