“Christ is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!” will be said often today, Easter Sunday, in churches, gatherings and in private prayers. “Alleluia” which means “praise the Lord” is said in thanksgiving and joy for what we celebrate today –the Lord’s triumph over death.
Easter is the most important day in the Christian calendar for it celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead.
The significance of Easter is said clearly by Saint Paul: “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Cor. 15:14)
Pope Francis, presiding over Mass at the St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday last year, had called Easter “the most important and beautiful day in history.”
“Let the Church and the world rejoice, for today our hopes no longer come up against the wall of death, for the Lord has built us a bridge to life,” Pope Francis said before giving the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing in the presence of around 100,000 people in 2023.
Easter comes after Lent, which started with Ash Wednesday and ended with the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday. Good Friday commemorated the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. And on Black Saturday, the faithful prepared for Easter in joyful anticipation.
Easter is also a symbol of a new beginning, bringing hope that one can overcome suffering or difficult circumstances through faith and perseverance. Last year, Easter was the symbolical door that opened "new beginnings" for many people after the lifting of pandemic restrictions. Many were starting new lives without a beloved who had died from covid. Others who had lost businesses and jobs because of the pandemic lockdowns, had to start on new ways of doing business.
This year, there are many reasons for “new beginnings” – such as lifestyles that cause disease or broken relationships.
At home, a “new beginning” can be guided by the spirit of Easter – perhaps an apology needs to be said, or forgiveness waits for reconciliation among family members. In Calvary, Jesus was willing to forgive those who betrayed him and were responsible for His death. Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34).
Let us bring the Easter message to our daily life by remembering Pope Francis’ Lenten message: “In the presence of God, we become brothers and sisters, more sensitive to one another — in place of threats and enemies, we discover companions and fellow travelers.
“I invite every Christian community to do just this — to offer its members moments set aside to rethink their lifestyles, times to examine their presence in society, and the contribution they make to its betterment, ” Pope Francis said.
Another Easter message that we commemorate today is hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).
May the spirit of Easter renew our faith and rekindle hope in our communities.