During the Octave of Easter, the Church highly exults Christ's resurrection. After having endured passion and death on the cross, he now lives forever and death no longer has any power over him.

However troubled situations may be or however strong tensions and conflicts may be, nothing can resist the powerful renewal the risen Christ has brought about.

The community of faithful throughout the world raises a canticle of praise and thanksgiving to the one who has delivered man from the slavery of evil and sin through the redemption that was brought about by the Incarnate Word. This is expressed in Psalm 135 that we have just heard, which is a splendid hymn to God's goodness. God's merciful love is fully revealed once and for all in the mystery of Easter.

A Message of Peace

After his resurrection, the Lord appeared several times to his disciples and met with them on several occasions. The evangelists relate various episodes that reveal the wonder and the joy of those who witnessed these marvelous events. John particularly draws attention to the first words the Risen Master spoke to his disciples.

“Peace be with you,” he said to his disciples as he entered the upper room. He repeated this greeting at least three other times (see John 20:19, 21, 26). We might say that this expression, “Peace be with you,” or “shalom” in Hebrew, contains and summarizes in a certain sense the entire message of Easter.

However troubled situations may be or however strong tensions and conflicts may be, nothing can resist the powerful renewal the risen Christ has brought about.

Peace is a gift that the Risen Lord offers to men and it is the fruit of the new life that was ushered in by his resurrection.

Peace, therefore, is the “new thing” that Christ introduced into history on Easter. It is rooted in a profound renewal of man's heart. Thus, it is not the result of our human efforts nor can we attain it through some treaty between people or institutions. Rather, it is a gift that should be received generously, guarded carefully and made to bear fruit in a mature and responsible way. However troubled situations may be or however strong tensions and conflicts may be, nothing can resist the powerful renewal the risen Christ has brought about. He is our peace. As we read in the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, through his cross he has broken down the wall of enmity, so that “he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace” (Ephesians 2:15).

God's Mercy

The Octave of Easter, which is permeated with light and joy, will conclude next week with in Albis Sunday, which is also called “Divine Mercy Sunday.” Easter is the perfect example of this mercy that comes from God, who “shows mercy to his servants” (Psalm 135:14).

Through his death on the cross, Christ has reconciled us with God and has established in the world the foundation for all men to live together in brotherly love. In Christ, fragile human beings who long for happiness have been rescued from the slavery of the evil one and from the slavery of death, which generate sadness and suffering. The blood of the Redeemer has washed away our sins. In this way we have experienced the renewing power of his forgiveness. God's mercy opens our hearts to forgiving our brothers and sisters, and it is by offering and receiving forgiveness that we will attain peace in our families and in every other aspect of life.

I gladly extend once again my warmest Easter greetings to all of you, as I entrust you, your families and your communities to the heavenly protection of Mary, Mother of Mercy and the Queen of Peace.

(Register translation)