April 17, 2022 - Truly, Christ is Risen!

The triumphant and festive celebration of this Easter Sunday of the Resurrection is not matched in the Gospel Reading (cf. Luke 24:1-12). We do not hear anything like the triumphant greeting, “Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!” Instead, the disciples were asking, “Christ is risen? Truly?” As demonstrated by the journey of the women to the tomb, many disciples thought that the Lord Jesus Christ was still dead. Initial reactions to the empty tomb and the angelic message were puzzlement, fear, disbelief, and amazement. As we read further in this chapter of the Gospel according to Saint Luke, they began to accept the truth when they met the Risen Lord. This led to a transformation in their lives as they identified with the Risen Lord through Holy Baptism. They were not afraid to testify about what they had seen and heard. We accept the truth about the resurrection of the Lord through His Church. This is also the context in which we experience transformation in Christ, dying to sin and glorifying God in our thoughts, words, and actions. As we renew our baptismal promises, we are encouraged to testify in our conversation and our conduct, “Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!"