Fr. Jorge Miró shares with Exaudi readers his commentary on the Gospel of this Sunday, April 20, 2025, entitled “Christ is Risen! Alleluia!”

***

Alleluia! Praise the Lord, give him thanks, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Today we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord; we celebrate that Jesus Christ has conquered death, that he has risen, and that he is with us every day until the end of time.

Today we contemplate in all its splendor the mystery of God’s love, which is the guiding thread of our faith. God loves you so much that He created you to live with Him, forever, for all eternity: nothing and no one can separate us from God’s love… not even death (cf. Rom 8).

Today we celebrate the victory of Jesus Christ, which can also be yours, if you welcome it into your heart, because the Lord gives you salvation: if you believe, you will see the glory of God! If you welcome this good news into your heart and believe it, you too will begin to experience salvation.

This is what Peter announces in the first reading: All the prophets bear witness to Jesus: that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

What does this mean in your concrete life?

First, it means experiencing that you are not alone, that the Lord is with you, walks with you, and acts in your life every day. You will experience in your life the presence of the Risen Jesus Christ, who, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, makes all things new. Therefore, the first fruit that appears is joy. In the midst of difficulties and problems. Because there, the Lord pours out his Spirit. And you will be able to experience a permanent miracle in your life, the miracle of Easter: the Lord’s passage through your life, through your problems, and who frees you from slavery and leads you to freedom.

You will experience peace. Not because the battle is over, but because in the midst of the battle, the Risen Jesus Christ appears and gives you victory. And that is what gives you peace: that my strength and my power is the Lord.

This is what we are called to live. Whoever believes, whoever encounters Jesus Christ, experiences a new life, experiences living “illuminated.”

We signify this at the Easter Vigil with the morning star and throughout Easter with the Paschal Candle. Man, wounded by original sin, lives in darkness and needs to be illuminated by the One who is the light of the world: Jesus Christ.

He who is “enlightened” is not he who seeks to appropriate the light to do with it as he pleases. No, he who is “enlightened” is he who allows himself to be illuminated every day by the Lord, by his Word, and has light, discernment, and the same sentiments and attitudes as Jesus Christ (cf. Phil 2).

He who is “enlightened” can “savor” life because he has the wisdom of the Spirit. And therefore, he can live in blessing and praise at all times, because he lives everything with the Lord.

He who is “enlightened” lives seeking the things above, because he knows that his life is hidden with Christ in God.

Jesus Christ is risen; Christ lives! This is the great news of Easter. This is the surprising announcement that the Word of God makes to us today: Jesus was killed by hanging on a tree. But God raised him on the third day and granted him the grace to reveal himself, not to all the people, but to God’s designated witnesses. Jesus Christ lives, and lives forever.

This is what the Lord wants to give you: a new life. Take heart! If you have not yet had this encounter with the Risen Jesus Christ, ask Him for it! If you have already encountered Him, enjoy it! And with your life’s witness, help others encounter Him.

If you believe, you will see the glory of God!

Happy Easter, Happy Encounter with the Risen Lord!!

Come, Holy Spirit! (cf. Luke 1:13).