Today and throughout the Easter Season, Christians in many parts of the world will greet each other with the “Paschal Greeting” which communicates much more than “Happy Easter.”  The greeting is a jubilant “Christ is risen!”; the response, “He is risen indeed!”

   The words “He is risen!” remind us of the joyous news we celebrate at Easter--that Jesus’ death was not in vain and that he has the power to overcome death.  Saying “He is risen!” allows us to share this incredible truth with each other.  Christ’s resurrection not only gives us hope for salvation but also hope for our own resurrection and eternal life.

   The phrase is based on a greeting found in the Gospel of Luke.  Recall the story--two disciples bound for Emmaus encountered Jesus.  After they recognized him in the breaking of the bread, they rushed to tell the good news to the other disciples --“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34).  The greeting and response we have today originated in a liturgical context and eventually made its way outside the church building into the daily life of the people.  

   Our civic calendar encourages us to think of the celebration of Easter as one Sunday, but our liturgical calendar gives us fifty days to celebrate Christ’s resurrection and our participation in it.  A helpful practice during the Easter season might be to ponder the events and actions narrated in the Sunday gospels. Immediately after the first Sunday of Easter, we see the struggle to communicate what resurrected life is like.  It’s not resuscitation, but what is it?  Towards the end of our fifty-day celebration, the gospels prepare us for the coming of the Holy Spirit who will be our guide and companion as we strive to be Christ’s eyes, hands, feet, heart and love in our world in 2022.

• Christ the Lord is Risen Today    
• O Sons and Daughters
• Come Ye Faithful Raise the Star
• How Great Thou Art