For forty days we, the followers of Christ, were in a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We were preparing ourselves during that time to celebrate the most important mystery of our faith: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of Christ came three days after His death. This is a great teaching for all of us because not only with the death and resurrection of Jesus we were saved from the slavery of sin, but also, we receive a message of hope. This message tells us that among the darkness that we are living with, we see the light of hope. The light, the Risen Lord, who triumphantly rose from the dead, is saying to us that we cannot fear, especially at this time of crisis in which humanity is living. We need to rejoice not only because Jesus rose from the dead, but because He is always with us. He is the only one who can help us in moments of distress and sorrow. We need to rejoice because the Lord has changed our mourning into dancing; He took off our sackcloth and clothed us with gladness (cf. Psalm 30:12).
“Pope Francis reminds us in Evangelii Gaudium that Christ’s resurrection is not an event of the past; something that happened to Jesus 2000 years ago. Rather it is a vital power, an irresistible force permeating the world. He reminds us that there are signs of resurrection everywhere transforming situations of injustice, evil, indifference and cruelty. He says: ‘Where all seems to be dead, signs of the resurrection suddenly spring up. However dark things are, goodness always reemerges and spreads’ (EG 276). And we, missionary disciples, are instruments of that transformation” (Holy Family Bordeaux).
Our mission as Jesus’ disciples is to share the Risen Lord with our brothers and sisters who lose hope, are in sorrow, and do not see the light. Our mission is to tell others that Jesus is alive, and He will give us strength in difficult times of our lives. Let us feel the joy of the Risen Lord and share this joy with our brothers and sisters who need a word of hope.
May the Risen Lord be with all of you! Happy Easter 2024!
God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramirez
