Christ is risen…He is truly risen!! This is the way in which the Russian Orthodox greet each other during the whole season of Easter. By this exchange, they make present for one another the event that has totally changed the course of history, and which has transformed the life of men and women in this world. The resurrection of Christ! His victory over sin and death! And, the beginning of a new life for us [in Him].
Indeed, during this time we exult in the fact that, as Christ resurrected from the death, we also can resurrect with Him. We celebrate that our lives can be so totally transformed, that we can experience already, here on earth, the freedom of the children of God. The readings today show us this transformation, in the figure of none other than Peter, the prince of Apostles.
A New Version of Peter
In the first reading we witness a courageous and brave Peter, who stands up to the priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees, in defense of the announcement of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Moreover, Peter does not hesitate to call them out. Referring to the cure of the paralytic, he says: “then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus the Nazorean, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed.”
We know very well that this is not Peter acting on his own accord. Indeed, just a week ago, we heard how in the most cowardly manner, he denied the Lord three times. Peter was by nature, impetuous, a bit of a coward, and thinking of being someone he was not. How is it then, that now he displays such bravery and courage? What has happened?
The only thing that has changed from Good Friday to now is that Christ is risen. And that Peter has had an encounter with him. Now he possesses a totally new life in Christ. He is capable of doing things that he could not have done otherwise. He has passed from fear to courage, from doubt to certainty, and from death to life.
A New Life
In the Gospel also, the encounter Peter has with the risen Christ, shows to him that his life will not be the same as it was before. He is able to recognize that “it is the Lord,” when, acting on His word, he sees his failure transformed into success and his nothingness transformed into abundance. Thus, having encountered the risen Christ, and sharing in His life, have made Peter experience a total transformation in his life. Indeed, the ultimate fruit of this transformation will be to give his life for the Lord. In bearing witness to the salvation offered by the Lord to all those who believe in Him. The salvation that he has already lived and experienced.
New Version of Us
For us too, these readings are a source of great hope and joy. The resurrection of Christ is not an event that took place two thousand years ago and that it had an effect only for the people at the time. Our lives can also be transformed by the risen Christ. He, who is as alive and as present today, as He was back then. Like the apostles, we can recognize that “it is the Lord,” as He comes to meet us in His word, in the sacraments, and in the Christian community. We can also see how our lives are totally changed and we are able to do things that normally we could not do with our own strength. Things like forgiving and asking forgiveness, serving others, sharing our goods. Also, accepting the sins and the mistakes of the others. And loving others in the dimension of the cross, offering our lives for them.
Let us continue celebrating these fifty days of exultation and joy. Let us stay attentive to meet the risen Christ throughout this season of Easter. And let us allow ourselves to be transformed by the power of His resurrection.
Happy Easter! Christ is risen…He is truly risen!
