On the Sundays of Eastertime this year, the second scripture readings are from the last book of the Bible, the Apocalypse, or the Revelation to John. The book is an epic of Christian hope in the face of difficulties and oppression, a victory song of the persecuted Church. In the book, John, himself in exile because of his faith, describes the great vision of the risen Christ which he had one Sunday. He was told to write it down so that others, including us today, might believe. His vision is altogether more dramatic than the way in which Doubting Thomas saw the risen Christ; or even than the effect that Jesus' disciples, after His resurrection, had on people in Jerusalem. Typical of other visions and revelations to people in the Bible, John heard a voice saying "Do not be afraid". It was the voice of Jesus saying that He is the First and the Last, the Living One, who was dead but now holds the keys of death and of the underworld. So, why should any Christian today be afraid of anything, be fearful or without hope? Of course everyone has difficulties and problems, there are injustices and suffering all around us. But Jesus is risen, is alive and with us: we are Easter people and 'alleluia' is our song. May we pray more ardently, identify with and appreciate the truth of those words we hear at every Mass, "as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ".