Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia! He is risen as he said, alleluia! Today is the greatest day of the year, greater than Christmas, greater than the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, of St. Joseph, the US Independence day, or any other feast day. Today we celebrate that he who was dead is now alive. Jesus is alive! He has risen from the dead. The Father has given to a man the glory of God. The Father has given to Jesus the glory of life eternal, forever triumphing over sin and death. The true independence day has come! We no longer have to be slaves of sin and death, but children of life, love, and truth.
This good news, this gospel message has pulled Christians through many trials and tribulations through the centuries. It is Jesus’ resurrection that has caused apostles, disciples, kings, slaves, soldiers, fathers, mothers, and children to die as martyrs for love of him. His rising from the dead gives us hope. His rising from the dead gives us comfort now and on the day of our death. His rising from the dead tells us that God has power even over sin and death itself; the dead man has returned to life. Jesus is alive. He is alive right now as you read this. In his glorified physical body he sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. He is praying to the Father for us at every moment of the day until we are with him in glory.
Therefore, let us be grateful, thankful, faithful, and hopeful of joining our Lord in heaven. Let us be cheerful, peaceful, fruitful, thoughtful, and truthful as we live Christian lives strengthened by Holy Mass. Jesus is alive! He has risen from death as he said. Let us celebrate this good news with others and proclaim it by our lives. May this Paschal Octave be the best yet.