He Has Risen!
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb where Jesus had been placed. Suddenly, there was a violent earthquake, and an angel came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, he rolled back the stone and sat on it. The angel’s appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said he would. Come and see where he lay. Go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘Jesus has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you to Galilee. There, they will find him.’ Now do as I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy. Unexpectedly, they saw Jesus on the roadway. “Greetings,” he said. The two women went to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to travel to Galilee; there, they will see me.”
The eleven disciples journeyed to Galilee, to the very mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When the disciples saw Jesus, they worshiped him; but there were some who doubted. So Jesus told them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Then Jesus promised, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Be assured that Jesus is walking at your side. As promised, he won’t give up on you, forsake or abandon you. Remember, there isn’t a problem too large or too small to share with him. You can reach out to Jesus and ask for guidance, courage, or strength. There’s never a bad time to start a conversation with him or to share your thoughts and feelings. You don’t even have to say the words out loud. But either way, Jesus will know what is on your mind and in your heart. He will know how to comfort you.
In nature, spring is a season of rebirth. Flowers bloom, temperatures warm, and the grass turns green. It is a time of hope. And spiritually, spring is a season of renewal as well. It is the time Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Christ’s victory over death on the cross is our ultimate source of hope. His resurrection is our divine promise that life is everlasting. During this Lenten season, may you feel Christ’s light, love, and peace. And may your heart be filled with hope. For he has risen indeed!
