From the Pastor’s Desk: Father Rodolfo Coaquira Hilaje
(Father Rudy) April 20, 2025
My Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Lord,
A young woman sat at her grandfather’s bedside, holding his frail hand. His breathing was shallow, his time on earth drawing to a close. He had lived a full life, and she knew he was ready, but still, the thought of losing him filled her with sorrow. As she wept, he smiled and whispered, “This is not the end. Trust in Him.”
On that first Easter morning, Mary Magdalene approached the tomb expecting death. Instead, she found life. The massive stone was rolled away, and the burial cloths were there, but Jesus was gone. Confused and frightened, she ran to tell Peter and John, who hurried to see for themselves. What they found changed everything—the empty tomb and the carefully placed burial cloths were not signs of robbery or decay but of victory. Jesus had risen!
This moment is the foundation of our faith. The Resurrection is not just a historical event but a living reality. Jesus is alive, not in memory or metaphor, but truly and powerfully present. Because He lives, our faith is not in vain. His Resurrection proves His divinity, His authority, and the truth of everything He taught. It is why we believe in His promises, in His mercy, and in eternal life.
The Church, at its heart, is a chain of witnesses to this truth. It began with Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John, and continues today through each of us. The empty tomb is not just an ancient story; it is a sign for us now. Death does not have the final word. Suffering is not the end. Jesus has conquered, and because of Him, we have hope.
Even the smallest details in John’s Gospel carry meaning. The burial cloths were not discarded in haste but folded with care. Jesus forgets no detail. If He is mindful even of the way His grave clothes were left, how much more does He care about the details of our lives?
Easter is our reminder that in every loss, in every fear, and in every sorrow, Christ is alive and at work. When we stand at the tombs in our own lives—whether through grief, failure, or despair—we are not left alone. The Resurrection assures us that God is always bringing forth new life, even when we least expect it. So today, as we proclaim, “He is risen!” let us ask ourselves: If we truly believe in the Resurrection, how will it change the way we live?
Happy Easter,
Father Rudy