O God, Who on this day, through Your Only Begotten Son, have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity, grant, we pray, that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord's Resurrection may, through the renewal brought by Your Spirit, rise up in the light of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
have conquered death – Jesus is risen! Death no longer holds Him. He has given His life for us, sacrificed Himself for our sins. But because Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God the Father, death cannot attain ultimate victory over Him. Jesus is God as well as Man, and He rises up from the dead, conquering death once for all.
unlocked for us the path to eternity – Because of Jesus' resurrection, death can no longer hold us either. Jesus has unlocked the gates of Heaven for us. We will still die a physical death, but then, if we remain in a state of grace, in relationship with God, and when we are purified of the consequences of our sins, our souls will rise to Heaven to be with Him forever. Eternal life will open up before us with all its infinite vistas, and we will see God face to face.
keep the solemnity of the Lord's Resurrection – How do we keep Easter? Has the day become more about Easter baskets and the Easter bunny? Or do we focus on the victory of our Lord and spend at least part of the day in joyful worship? Remember that solemnity and joy are not opposites, but actually go hand in hand as we adore our Risen Savior.
the renewal brought by Your Spirit – The Easter season is a perfect time to drink in the freshness of our faith and to allow the Holy Spirit to renew us with His life-giving love. As we are sprinkled (or drenched, depending on the priest) with Holy Water during our Easter Masses, we should take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to sprinkle (or even drench) us with His love that we may renew our commitment to and our joy in our Christian faith.
rise up in the light of life – Easter is all about light and new life. At the Easter Vigil, we bask in the light of the Easter candle, which symbolizes the light that our Lord shines into our lives through the forgiveness of sins and the gift of grace poured out on us by His death and Resurrection. That forgiveness and grace bring us new life, life with our Lord forever in Heaven that we can start living right now. Alleluia! He is risen!
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