Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen. The events of Easter are the very essence of our faith, and we have to return to them frequently, reflecting on their meaning in our individual lives. It is through baptism that one becomes a “shareholder” in the community of the redeemed people of God. St. Paul, in his letter to the Romans 6:4, wrote, “We were indeed buried with Christ through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in the newness of life.” As we journey with Christ into his death, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.
Christ came out alive and glorious from the tomb on that first day of the week, defeating death forever. The resurrection of Christ from the dead set us free from the original sin of Adam and Eve. Christ’s tomb served as the final destination for his enemies, but Easter Sunday proved them wrong. This day, life has triumphed over death like the beaming sun dispelling the deep darkness of night.
St. Paul teaches us that Easter Sunday is a “new day,” a day of rejoicing and gladness, a day that will never end, for death has been defeated. The Holy Mother Church celebrates the victory over death on Easter Sunday with special solemnity for a period of fifty days. Christ fought the fight, and today we are rejoicing because He is risen. He paid the price with his precious blood, and we are liberated from death. St. Paul says to the Romans: “We know that Christ, once raised from the dead, will never die again; death has no more power over him. In the same way, you must consider yourselves dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus” (Rm 6:9–11).
If Christ did not rise from the dead, our lives would have been meaningless. The resurrection of Christ changes everything for us. Today, we feel like condemned prisoners who have been unconditionally granted pardon. This is absolute freedom. Although we are very slow, like the apostle, in realizing the full impact of the liberation given to us today, let us not allow the chain of sin or the fear of death to draw us back again. When our lives seem to be empty, like the tomb of Christ, remember Easter Sunday. The day of joy is the day of gladness!
Feel the emptiness in your life today with the new hope because Christ has gone ahead of us into impossibilities, into trials, into sorrows, and He has come out with victory. With renewed confidence in the victory of Christ, let us rejoice today with the joy that runs over the whole church. Christ is risen! Indeed, He is Risen! Alleluia!
