When Michelangelo was painting the ceiling of the Sistine chapel in the Vatican, Pope Julius would come every now and then to see how the work was proceeding. When Michelangelo had finished painting the creation of Adam, the Pope was fascinated. He was fascinated by the face of Adam. It radiated such peace and innocence. Pope Julius asked Michelangelo what model he had used, and Michelangelo responded, I tried to paint the man the way God created him. God created us man and woman in his own image and likeness, an image of truth, goodness, and beauty. A lot has happened since then; hatred, evil, dishonesty and violence have crept into the human heart. Though we rarely admit it, we live in a death-haunted space. The fear of death broods over us like a cloud and conditions all our thoughts and actions. What if we really believed, deep down, that death did not have the final word? Would we live in such fear, in such a cramped spiritual space? We are celebrating Easter 2025, Jesus’ resurrection but also ours. It is important that Easter not become an event of the past; or a myth as some commentators claim. C. S. Lewis, who was born in Belfast in the 19th century, a great Christian apologist, said that those who think the resurrection is a myth simply haven’t read many myths. Easter touches each of us personally and in a special way today; just as it touched Mary Magdalen, Peter, and John in today’s gospel. Jesus rises in the hearts of those who believe; He fills us with hope – this is a special jubilee year of hope -, light, and love. Like an artist that restores an old work of art, making it even more beautiful than before. Let us ask Jesus to restore us also today. With the resurrection there is a quiet joy among us and a deep sense of peace because we know that life is stronger than death, love is stronger than fear and hope is stronger than despair. Let us pray that the splendour of the resurrection scatters the shadows of death and enable us to walk in radiant hope towards the kingdom where there are no more shattered hopes or broken dreams.