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; and image of truth, goodness and beauty. A lot has happened since then; hatred, evil, dishonesty and violence have crept into the human heart. Everything that God created was good and then sin threw a spanner into the works, but God sent rescue operation after rescue operation, and he eventually sent his only son y by raising him from death he has shown that he has not given up on creation. We are celebrating Easter 2023, Jeusus’ resurection but also ours. It is important that Easter not become an event of the past; or a myth as some comentators calim. 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, 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 resurection 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.