Alleluia, Christ is risen! 
The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!

This is the traditional greeting for Easter, and I invite you to say it, to relish it for this whole Easter season. Say it to each other, to fellow Christians. Say it, maybe in not so many words, to your non-Christian friends and neighbours, with your love and generosity and mercy and kindness; let the light and joy of the resurrection dance on your face and in your lives! And certainly, say it to me, as many times as you can. 

Alleluia, Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!

It is a deeply joyful greeting because we share in the resurrection – the death and the new life of Jesus. This is a wonderful mystery that we cannot possibly hope to understand, but at the same time, changes everything, changes us. 

It doesn’t mean that we are never sad, angry, or in pain; it doesn’t mean that things are not going to be difficult. 

That is not the promise. 

Christ’s resurrection is impossible. But I love to believe in impossible things. I love being formed by this impossible story. 

Because sometimes forgiveness seems impossible. 

Because sometimes love feels impossible. 

Because sometimes a better world seems impossible. 

Because sometimes when we are sad, angry, or in pain; when things are hard and difficult, things can feel impossible too. 

The promise of the resurrection is that in those impossible places, God finds us, meets us, makes a way for us, loves us, and gives us new life, joy and hope.
And so, I shout with all my heart – ALLELUIA, CHRIST IS RISEN! And I hope that you will respond with gusto – THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA!!!!

Thanks be to God, Alleluia!

CG+