St. Theresa's Parish

Pastor’s Easter Message

One of the most profound liturgical movements in the Easter Liturgy is the profession of faith where we recite the Creed (the declaration of what we believe as Catholics) by answering “I DO” to a series of questions.

This act of faith affirms our commitment and belief in the Blessed Trinity and the basic tenets of our Christian Faith.

Before we do this, we renounce sin and evil. Holding a lit taper, symbolizing the Light of Christ, we hear and respond “I DO” to the following questions:

Do you reject sin so as to live in the freedom of the God’s children?

Do you reject the glamour of evil and refuse to be mastered by sin?

Do you reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness?

Do you reject Satan, and all his works and all his empty promises?

It’s important to note that the questions do not begin with “do you deny Satan” but rather “do you reject Satan.” The distinction is important because often times we do “deny” the devil’s existence and involvement in our lives. Sometimes, we welcome him into our life by the evil choices we make. Every time we fail to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and choose not to love our neighbour as oneself, and choose to break even one of the ten commandments, we are paying homage to Satan (a mere creature) and not God (The Creator of us all.) Who and what we accept, embrace and follow or reject in this life, determines whether we will, one day, be counted among the Blessed in Heaven.

“Christ Has died, Christ Is risen, Christ will come again!”

This is why we wrestle with temptations in the desert of life.

This is why we struggle to remove the mask that hides our true self.

This is why we hear and respond to God’s call to return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation time and time again.

This is why we strive to be (and remain) true disciples of Jesus, the Messiah:

Because the tomb was empty!

Easter Blessings upon you and all those you love!

In Christ, Fr David Kowalski