The grain of wheat has fallen into the earth, died, and is now germinating. The fields are turning green in this part of the world. We are leaving behind a harsh winter. In the mountains, snow still remains and continues slowly melting. Almond trees are in bloom. Fruit trees have been pruned to bear fruit. The earth is awakening to life. Nature clothes itself in spring. A feast for the senses and for contemplation!
What is happening in the world? Recent wars and others that continue over time. Deaths, displacement, destruction, an energy crisis, concern for both the global and family economy. Countries collapsing. What happens within me when I hear about the reality of the world? At times sadness overwhelms me; sometimes questions arise; at other moments I look back at History and feel the desire to pray, to trust in the God who created the world so that we might live in it and care for it. Life unfolds between contemplation of creation and concern for wounded humanity. Yet we are in Easter.
The English writer Chesterton, in his book The Everlasting Man, wrote this remarkable reflection on the Resurrection of Christ: “On the third day, the friends of Christ, coming at dawn to the place, found the tomb empty and the stone rolled away. In various ways they realized the new wonder; but they hardly realized that the world had died that night. What they were seeing was the first day of the new creation, with a new heaven and a new earth; and the figure of a divine gardener walked again in the garden, not in the cool of the night but in the freshness of dawn.”
During these days we sing or recite in our celebrations the ancient Easter hymn, written in 1048, Victimae Paschali Laudes. The hymn places before our eyes a powerful image: “life and death contended in a singular battle.” This is no empty metaphor. Jesus enters the battle so that you and I may say and believe that He gave Himself for you and for me. The Greek word anástasis, from the verb anístēmi, means “to raise up,” “to resurrect.” Therefore, the resurrection is not a static event. Christ conquers. It is the moment when the “Lord of life” rises and defeats the final enemy, death, stripping it of its power to inspire fear.
Yes, on the third day, one of Christ’s friends—the first witness, the apostle to the apostles—leaves us in this hymn a beautiful dialogue. “What did you see on the way, Mary, in the morning?” Her answer is personal: “My love and my hope has truly risen.” Today, when we look at the world, let us repeat with the hope of knowing ourselves as beloved creatures to the very end: Jesus has risen, my love and my hope. May we, in the present moment of our time and History, learn from the Christians of the early Church that the resurrection of Jesus Christ also renews creation. Therefore, let us never cease to raise our prayer of intercession for humanity, so deeply loved by the Lord, conqueror of the bonds of death.
“We know that Christ has truly risen from the dead: You, victorious King, have mercy on us. Amen. Alleluia.” (Victimae Paschali Laudes)
Happy Easter!
Ana Alonso, ra
Ponferrada Community
Province of Spain