Pope Leo I: Easter opens a door to an undying hope.
The Pope Leo XIV proclaimed all of Creation to be "newly radiated with light" on Easter Sunday during Mass in St. Peter's Square with more than fifty thousand in attendance; and in this way expressed our shared happiness as "praise from the earth... Christ has risen and we too are being raised into a new life because of His resurrection".
Easter heralds a profound sense of joy.
Pope Francis said in his message for Easter: "The Easter announcement represents the mystery of our life and the destiny of history," and reminds us even though we are experiencing tragic times of sorrow - or even death - we can "have a hope that will never fail; a light that does not go out; a joy that no one will ever be able to take from us - for death has been defeated forever and is no longer in control of our lives."
The 40th anniversary celebration of Dutch floral artistry.
Saint Peter's Square was full of many beautiful flowers during Easter time. Saint Peter's Square had more than 65,000 tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, in addition to an estimated 7,800 other types of flowers. Also, there were over 1,200 branches of plumosa and long catkins of willow tree.
Thousands of flowers from the Netherlands adorning Saint Peter's Squares (@Vatican Media)
This year, the Netherlands is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the tradition of presenting Easter flowers to the Pope. This initiative was launched by Dutch florists and volunteers in collaboration with the Dutch Bishops' Conference and the "Flower of Rome" Foundation.
Easter Sunday, Saint Peter's Square (@VATICAN MEDIA)
Called upon to cultivate a sense of hope.
In the course of his homily, the Pope recognized that the Easter message of hope and illumination is not always readily embraced, as the force of death persistently poses a threat to us, both within and from the outside.
The burdens of our transgressions may hinder us from "spreading our wings" and soaring, while suffering can lead us to despair, making us "feel as if we have found ourselves in a tunnel with no exit visible.
Death is a constant external presence in our daily lives, manifesting itself through "injustices, partisan selfishness, the oppression of the poor, and the neglect of those who are most vulnerable." The pervasive violence in our world, along with the wounds it inflicts, is evident to all. He further articulated that this is reflected "in the cry of pain that emanates from every corner due to the abuses that devastate the weakest among us, as a result of the idolatry of profit that exploits the earth's resources, and because of the violence of war that results in death and destruction.
Pope Leo on Easter Sunday, Saint Peter's Square (@VATICAN MEDIA)
Elevate our vision and expand our hearts.
The Pope elucidated that Easter invites us to "raise our sights and embrace our hearts," for "the Lord is living and continues to be with us.
He has lifted our spirit and our hopes from the pain of our past, by raising us above that pain and giving us new life (resurrection). While we may have died two different times (according to His will), He will be the basis for defining how we live after the way we have lived now is over; He will be our resurrection, just as He has already resurrected Himself. He is leading us on our way to His peace and we will know His peace when He returns.
We are united in spirit as we rise through Christ. The attitude of our heart is anchored by our confidence in Christ as a returner, nullifying death as determining our last moment. Our ultimate journey toward fullness is realized through Him.
In the first Apostolic Exhortation, "Evangelii Gaudium," Pope Francis expresses his view of the world, which includes a reference from Pope Leo's Apostolic Exhortation that says, "the resurrection of Christ is not simply a historical event. Rather, it is a source of life and vitality to all humanity, a fountain bursting with inexhaustible power; in places where death appears to dominate our world each day, the resurrection burst forth spontaneously, like a boiling geyser." The power of the resurrection is unstoppable, and there may be times when we feel that God is absent from the world, yet there will also be many instances of God's presence through oppression, evil, apathy, and cruelty; therefore, the new life produced by resurrection will bring about new life and hope through its continuing ability to produce new life.
Easter Sunday, Saint Peter's Square (@Vatican Media)
Humanity is embarking upon anew. The Pope says that the Risen Lord gives all of humanity hope. His resurrection "signals the beginning of a new life, greater than that of death, which is now being revealed to the human race."
"Easter signifies the beginning of the new creation that was birthed by the resurrection of Jesus and the new life that will never end because of God’s victory over the ancient enemy. We need this message of hope at this time. We who have been raised with Christ need us to showcase His presence in every corner of this world. Therefore, let us be like Mary Magdalene and tell the world about Him and live in the joy of the resurrection, so that wherever there is still the shadow of death, the light of life can shine brightly!"
Easter symbolizes the new creation brought about by the Risen Lord, a new beginning, and eternal life provided by God through defeating the ancient enemy. In this time, we need this song of hope. We have been resurrected with Christ and are to bring his presence to the streets of the world. We will be like Mary Magdalene, sharing his message with all, and showing the joy of the resurrection so that where there is still a shadow of death, there will be a light of life.
“Easter is the new creation brought about by the Risen Lord; it is a new beginning; it is life finally made eternal by God’s victory over the ancient enemy. We need this song of hope today. It is ourselves, risen with Christ, who must bring him into the streets of the world. Let us then run like Mary Madgalene, announcing him to everyone, living out the joy of the resurrection, so that wherever the specter of death still lingers, the light of life may shine.”