We human beings admire all sorts of figures. History gives us giants like the fascinating Julius Caesar. Others, like Florence Nightingale, changed the world through compassion and courage. Children look to heroes like Spiderman. And, if you’re anything like me, maybe you even had a faithful little friend like Fred Ted, who was good at listening, never said much, but was always there when I needed a cuddle.

But today invites us to notice the difference between all these figures and the one at the heart of Easter. Because Caesar died. Florence Nightingale died. Spiderman never lived. Even dear old Fred Ted is only stuffing and fabric (but please don’t tell him that!). Only one person in that list is alive today. Only one can actually be your friend.

Jesus.

Jesus is my best friend - my Lord and my God. He listens; He never abandons; He knows my needs better than I do. He comforts when comfort is needed and challenges when challenge is needed. He is patient and kind, not pompous or rude, never brooding over injury. In Him, Love becomes flesh. He is Love with a heartbeat, Love with a face, Love with a name.

And, if I’m honest, that love sometimes overwhelms me.

I remember when my dad was dying. Cards poured in - dozens from people he’d helped over the years: at church, through school, Scouts, football. He would sit quietly and read them, tears streaming down his face. These weren’t tears of sorrow but rather tears of joy.

“Who am I to deserve such love?” he kept asking. In that moment, he glimpsed - just a drop - of God’s ocean of mercy. When you stand on the shore of such love, it can sweep you off your feet.

That’s what these days - the Triduum, all of Holy Week in fact - are really about. Not a mythical superhero, not an interesting historical figure, not simply a good person doing good things, and not even the most comforting teddy. These days are about the Friend who loved us to the very end; the One who suffered though innocent, who died though all‑powerful, who poured Himself out for love of you. And today is about His rising. He is alive. My Friend is alive. The One in whom I place all my hopes – He lives!

Pope Francis invited every Christian to a “renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ” - an encounter possible only because He lives. You can’t encounter Caesar or Florence Nightingale, or Spiderman, or Fred Ted. You can only know about them. But Jesus you can know. You can speak to Him and be spoken to. You can love Him—and be loved infinitely, unconditionally, beyond all imagining.

Real friendship is never a business deal – “I’ll love you if you give me what I want.” We’re tempted to treat Jesus that way. Yet authentic friendship with Him leads us through pain, disappointment, even death, with a joy that endures, like a flicker that refuses to go out. Because we are infinitely loved.

And if we know in our hearts that Jesus is alive, then we must share that joy.

He is alive! Alleluia!

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While the high point of the Easter Celebration is the Paschal Vigil with Baptisms and Confirmations, Baptism should also be central to the celebration of Mass during Easter Day since the celebration of the Paschal mystery recalls our own immersion in the mystery of Christ’s Passover at our Baptism.

After the homily which would introduce the Renewal of Baptismal Promises emphasising that in Baptism we die and rise with Christ why not process to the Font with Cross and acolytes and thurifer singing an appropriate hymn (not too long though). Perhaps the Paschal Candle could be carried in the procession leading the way? At the Font the president could say some appropriate words that during the year ahead - many both children and adults would be baptised at this Font and it would be the source of life for them. The font could then be incensed and then the president could introduce the renewal of Baptismal Promises.

Of course, if the Church is fortunate enough to have a Baptismal Pool the whole thing becomes more relevant especially the going down into the waters to rise again with Christ to the new life of the Spirit. If this is not the case you might consider hiring a birthing pool for the Easter Baptisms and leaving it suitably ornamented for the whole of the Easter Octave.

Apart from this you might make a big thing of the ‘Alleluia’ explain briefly how it is the song of the resurrection and this is why we sing it usually before the Gospel reading because it is the Gospel of the risen Christ.

In many places there used to be a procession to the Font during Vespers. Perhaps during Easter Week a service focussing on the Font might be worthwhile.

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These hymns have been taken from the Laudate Hymnbook:

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260 Victimae paschal laudes

267 Jesus Christ is risen today

268 Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

269 At the Lamb's high feast we sing

271 Battle is o'er

273 Christ the Lord is risen today

270 Ye choirs of new Jerusalem

282 Sing to teh mountains