Roll away the stone

Holy Thursday
Good Friday
Paschal Vigil
Easter Sunday

Today we complete our liturgical celebration of the Paschal Triduum - the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus - with Easter Sunday...but the celebration is really now just beginning. For the next 50 days, we celebrate Easter with unbounded joy.

After all, the unbelievable has happened.  On Friday, the apostles were left in the depths of despair.  Their teacher and master, the one they called Lord was put to death and placed in the tomb.  Now, some women are saying that the tomb is empty, the stone which stood in front has been rolled away.  Soon Jesus will enter into their midst with a greeting of "Peace."

And even today, 2000 years later, the unbelievable happens.  The Risen One comes to us with a simple offering, "Peace be with you."  He enters our lives so that he can give us life.  Will we roll away the stone that is in front of us and embrace the Risen Jesus in our midst?

My dear friends, let us be Easter people.  Let us radiate the light of the Paschal candle in all that we do.  Let our lives be a hymn of glory to our God and a resounding Alleluia to the world.  May we bless each other like the new water sprinkled upon us.  May we be Eucharistic Bread, sharing ourselves with all whom we meet.  The chains of death have been broken. All of creation rejoices in its Savior.  The love of God is victorious.  From death comes new life.  Yes, let us be Easter people who resound with great Easter joy.

Jesus is Risen.  Alleluia!
The stone has been rolled away.  Alleluia!
The tomb is empty.  Alleluia!
He is not here, but he has been raised.  Alleluia!
Why do you seek the living one among the dead?
Yes, he is truly risen indeed.  Alleluia!

Blessings on your Easter!

Ciao!