The Lord Is Risen, Alleluia! He Is Risen, Indeed, Alleluia!

The Lord Is Risen, Alleluia! He Is Risen, Indeed, Alleluia!

The above Easter greeting is used during Easter. Sadly, this greeting has fallen into disuse in the last few decades. The Easter greeting is meant to emphasize the joy of the believer that the Lord indeed has Risen. That against all odds, the Lord Rises and brings hope to us, despite the discouragement that death brings to Christians.

Through the acknowledgement of the Resurrection of Our Lord, we sow the seeds of hope of a life in heaven, together with our Lord. After the Last Supper in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, the Lord reveals the plans he has for his disciples: “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (Jn 14:1-2). There is reason for us to rejoice, because when our earthly journey comes to an end, it is not the end for the believer, but the beginning of our journey to the house of the Father, to be together with Our Lord.

The Lord Is Risen, Indeed! Therefore, all our Lenten disciplines, prayer, fasting and almsgiving, strengthened us to be worthy receivers of such good news of the Resurrection of our Lord.

Not in vain is the joy of Mary Magdalene, that after she found the empty tomb swiftly communicated the Resurrection of the Lord. Not in vain is the excitement of the Disciples of Emmaus, who after recognizing the Lord, despite the hour, decided to journey back to tell the good news.

Exultant with Paschal gladness, let us acknowledge that the Lord is Risen, and that we, His people are to partake of the same Resurrection in the Lord.