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Easter Sunday: “The Lord's triumph” / "Christ is alive"
‘Christ is alive.' This is the great truth which fills our faith with meaning. Jesus, who died on the cross, has risen. He has triumphed over death; he has overcome sorrow, anguish and the power of darkness. "Do not be terrified" was how the angels greeted the women who came to the tomb. 'Do not be terrified. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.
When evening fell on the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices that, going, they might anoint the dead body of Jesus. Very early on the following day, when the sun has already risen, they come to the sepulchre (Mark 16:1-2). And upon entering they are dismayed, for they do not find the body of Our Lord. A youth, clothed in white, says to them: Fear not. I know that you seek Jesus of Nazareth: non est hic, surrexit enim sicut dixit, He is not here, for He has risen, as He said (Mt. 28:5).
He has risen! Jesus has risen. He is not in the sepulchre. Life has overcome death.
He appeared to His most Holy Mother. He appeared to Mary of Magdala, who is carried away with love. And to Peter and the rest of the Apostles. And to you and me, who are His disciples and more in love than Magdalene: the things we say to Him!
May we never die through sin; may our spiritual resurrection be eternal. And before this decade is over, you have kissed the wounds on His feet..., and I, more daring because I am more a child, have placed my lips upon His open side.
The Lord's triumph, on the day of the Resurrection, is final. Where are the soldiers the rulers posted there? Where are the seals that were fixed to the stone of the tomb? Where are those who condemned the Master? Where are those who crucified Jesus? He is victorious, and faced with his victory those poor wretches have all taken flight. Be filled with hope: Jesus Christ is always victorious.
Jesus is the Emmanuel: God with us. His resurrection shows us that God does not abandon his own. He promised he would not: "Can a woman forget her baby that is still unweaned, pity no longer the son she bore in her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you." And he has kept his promise. His delight is still to be with the sons of men.
It's not easy. But we have a clear guide, which we should not and cannot do without. We are loved by God, and we will let the Holy Spirit act in us and purify us, so that we can embrace the Son of God on the cross, and rise with him, because the joy of the resurrection is rooted in the cross. (Christ Is Passing By, 66) [St Josemaria Escriva] |
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Speaking with God
To pray is to talk with God
You write, "To pray is to talk with God. But about what?" About what? About Him, about yourself—joys, sorrows, successes and failures, noble ambitions, daily worries, weaknesses! And acts of thanksgiving and petitions—and Love and reparation.
In a word, to get to know him and to get to know yourself—"to get acquainted!"
You don't know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and as soon as you have said, "Lord, I don't know how to pray!" you can be sure you've already begun.
Slowly. Consider what you are saying, to whom it is being said and by whom. For that hurried talk, without time for reflection, is just empty noise.
And with Saint Teresa, I will tell you that, however much you work your lips, I do not call it prayer.
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