Christ is truly risen! Today we celebrate the best news since the Creation of the world: “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here” (Mk 16:6). This announcement is the very heart of the Gospel passed on from the Apostles, from generation to generation. It is the foundation of our Christian faith and of our hope: Jesus, the Son of Mary, put to death by hanging him on a tree, has risen from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures (cf. Acts 10:39-40).
Risen from the dead, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, has conquered the darkness of sin and death forever. Truly, “Death no longer has dominion over him” (Rom 6:9).
Dear brothers and sisters: the Risen Christ has journeyed ahead of us to prepare the new heavens and the new earth (cf. Rev 21:1). There we shall live as one family, as sons and daughters of the Father, united with Christ in the communion of the Holy Spirit. Let us walk with him now in our wounded yet glorious world, firmly believing that by his Cross and Resurrection, Jesus has redeemed the world.