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Christ is Risen!

Catechesis by Pope St John Paul II
in his series in the Jubilee of the Redemption
General Audience, Wednesday 6 April 1983 - also in Italian, Portuguese & Spanish

"1. We are still in the atmosphere of the Easter Solemnity, in which an ineffable spiritual experience made us taste the profound truth of our faith in the Risen Christ, "our Easter" (1 Cor 5, 7), who sacrificed himself for us, but he was not defeated by death, he did not exhaust his mystery and his mission when, hanging from the Cross, he pronounced those words: "All is finished" (Jn 19, 30). In that same moment, in fact, the fulfillment of God's salvific plan opened a new phase in human history, which Christ himself would have consecrated with his resurrection from the dead: the new "kairós" of the certainty of life, founded on that demonstration of the divine omnipotence.

Christ is risen, as he had promised, because his deep self is identified with the eternal principle of life, God, so much so that he was able to say of himself: "I am the Life" (Jn 14, 6), as he once had proclaimed: "I am the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn 11, 25). With him, therefore, the omnipotent power of life entered the world and, after the sacrifice of justice and love offered on the Cross, it exploded in his humanity and, through his humanity, in mankind and in some way in the whole universe. From that moment on, creation holds within itself the secret of an ever new youth and we are no longer slaves to the "fear of death" (Heb 2, 15). Christ has freed us forever!

With the Jubilee we also want to celebrate this victory of life and freedom, because it gives fullness of dimension to the mystery of the Redemption and reveals the power of the Cross. Rightly therefore, with the liturgy of the Church, we can greet the Cross as the "only hope" and source of "grace" and "forgiveness" not only "hoc Passionis tempore", as we did on Good Friday, but also "in hac triumphi gloria”, as we will sing on the feast of his Exaltation (14 September), almost echoing the Easter alleluia.

2. Saint Peter speaks to us of this mystery of sparkling glory on the Cross ("Fulget Crucis mysterium") in his first Letter to the Christian communities of Asia Minor, a fundamental document of the simple and linear reflection, but full of Christological meaning, of the Apostles and of the first Christian communities: “Blessed be God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ - he writes -; in his great mercy he has regenerated us, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, for a living hope, for an inheritance that does not perish, does not stain and does not rot "(1 Pt 1, 3-4).

The Risen Christ therefore dominates the scene of history and gives a generating force of eternal hope to Christian life, in this "kairós", in this eschatological age that has already begun with the victory over death by the One who "was predestined even before the foundation of world, but has manifested himself in the last times for you ”(1 Pt 1, 20).

This is the certainty that the world needed, in which the Apostles preached the Gospel of Christ; this is the hope that the humanity of our time needs, to whom we want to communicate the message and the gift of the Holy Year: Christ is risen and by rising he interrupted what seemed and still seems to many an inexorable vortex of decline, decay and corruption in history. The risen Christ gives us the guarantee of a life that never fades, of an "incorruptible inheritance", of a "custody" by God for the just who, freed and renewed by the Redeemer, now belong in faith and hope to the kingdom of eternal life.

3. Earthly history and the cosmic movement undoubtedly continue their course, which is not identified with the rhythms of the development of the Kingdom of Christ. In fact pain, evil, sin, death still make their victims, despite the resurrection of Christ. The cycle of succession and becoming has by no means stopped: history would be closed! Indeed, facts and events are continually repeated that suggest an irremediable conflict, here on earth, between the two kingdoms or, as St Augustine said, between the two "cities". Think for example of the contrast that this Holy Year presents between the celebration of the Redemption, on the one hand, and on the other the offenses against God, the crimes against man and, ultimately, the challenges to Christ that continue to be committed at the same time. It is the most impressive aspect, the most mysterious dimension of the historical dialectic between the forces of good and those of evil: that is, the fact that obstacles stand in the way or show indifference before the forces of Redemption introduced into the world by Christ with his Resurrection as resolving principle of the contrast between death and life.

But here is another truth that is offered to the reflection of Christians by St Peter and that derives from the discourse of the Beatitudes: amid the sufferings and difficulties of the passing of time, Christians, all Christians, are called to be like him, the righteous who suffer by maintaining the certainty of faith and hope, and precisely in this way they take their place, fulfill their mission in the great historical dialectic: they are, with Christ and for Christ, a force of regeneration, a leaven of new life.

Hence the exhortation: "Do not conform to the desires of yesteryear, when you were ignorant, but in the image of the Saint who called you, you too become holy in all your conduct, for it is written: You will be holy, for I am holy ... " (1 Pt 1, 13-16; cf Mt 10, 17).

The world has need, today as and more than yesterday, that among the vicissitudes, conflicts, variations of the times which often lead to situations so rough, sometimes even dramatic, the "new people" remain in its womb who with humility, courage and perseverance devote themselves to the service of the Redemption and concretize in good Christian conduct the regenerative force of Christ's Resurrection.

This is the function of Christians as evangelizers and witnesses of the Redemption in history; this is the historical and eschatological mission which the Holy Year recalls."

Saluti

"Liebe Brüder und Schwestern! In der Freude des auferstandenen Herrn Grüße ich euch herzlich zu dieser österlichen Begegnung im Vatikan. Ich grüße die genannten Gruppen, darunter die Seminaristen aus den Diözesen Salzburg und Gurk-Klagenfurt, eine Gruppe von Schülern und Eltern vom Erzbischöflichen Studienseminar in Traunstein sowie die Romwallfahrt von Jugendlichen aus der Diözese Regensburg. Dazu begrüße ich auch alle Einzelpilger wie auch eure Angehörigen und Gemeinden in der Heimat. Möge das Jubiläumsjahr der Erlösung durch eine fruchtbare Mitfeier für euch alle zu einem Jahr der Gnade und des Heiles werden.

Durch Tod und Auferstehung ist Christus für uns und die ganze Menschheit zum unversiegbaren Quell des Lebens, der Hoffnung und der Versöhnung geworden. Durch das Geheimnis der Erlösung hat er uns der Knechtschaft des Todes entrissen und für Gott und sein Reich befreit. Es bleiben zwar Schmerz und Leid, Sünde und Tod. Die Christen sind aber berufen, die Prüfungen und Schwierigkeiten dieser Zeit mit Christus voll Glaube und Hoffnung zu tragen und dadurch selber für andere zum Kraftquell der Erneuerung und des Heiles zu werden. Der heilige Petrus ermahnt uns: Wie er, der euch berufen hat, heilig ist, so soll auch euer ganzes Leben heilig werden. Diese Heiligung eures Lebens erbitte ich euch als Gnade des Jubiläumsjahres der Erlösung mit meinem besonderen Apostolischen Segen.

Chers Frères et Sœurs, Il m’est vivement agréable, au cours de cette semaine de sainte joie, durant laquelle nous célébrons la Résurrection du Seigneur, d’accueillir de nombreux pèlerins de langue française, venus, en cette Année sainte, réaffirmer leur foi et leur espérance avec le Pape. Je salue particulièrement le groupe considérable des Jeunesses Mariales de France et de Suisse qui témoignent à la fois de l’importance d’une dévotion profonde envers Marie Immaculée et d’un service généreux des communautés chrétiennes et de ceux qui sont dans le besoin. Je tiens également à mentionner la présence, cette année encore, du pèlerinage regroupant des élèves des lycées et collèges, avec leurs parents et leurs enseignants, ainsi que des aveugles venus de Strasbourg. Je veux vous assurer tous, vous qui êtes ici avec d’autres groupes pareillement dignes d’encouragement ou à titre individuel, de ma prière à vos intentions. A chacun de vous, a vos communautés, à vos familles, et spécialement à ceux qui connaissent l’épreuve, j’accorde volontiers ma Bénédiction Apostolique.

Dear brothers and sisters, It is a great joy for me to be together with you during these Easter days. At this time, creation experiences a new youth in the Risen Lord, who proclaims to the world: “I am life “. For each of us the Risen Christ guarantees a life without end. My welcome goes to all of you from England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States. I greet the groups of students and religious, the families, and the young and the old present here today, especially the new Scottish and Irish deacons, who have now been charged by their sacred ordination to proclaim the word of life.

I wish to extend a particular welcome to the Second European Congress of Obstetric, Anaesthesia and Analgesia, that is providing a forum for discussion between anaesthetists, midwives, neonatoIogists, obstetricians and obstetric physiotherapists. Your professional solicitude and your personal interest in the well-being of the mother, the new-born infant and the child within the context of the family is worthy of profound admiration and support. May the Lord of life bless your important service to humanity and fill your own hearts with peace and joy. God bless all the English-speaking pilgrims.

Amadísimos hermanos y hermanas, En esta primera semana de Pascua, saludo cordialmente a todos los peregrinos de lengua española presentes en esta Audiencia. De modo particular quiero saludar al grupo de Hermanas Hospitalarias del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús y a las Religiosas Reparadoras del Sagrado Corazón. También a los fieles de diversas parroquias y al numeroso grupo de estudiantes de varios colegios de España. Igualmente saludo a los pequeños grupos y familias procedentes de América Latina.

Con Cristo resucitado la fuerza omnipotente de la vida ha entrado en el mundo, y después del sacrificio de justicia y amor ofrecido en la Cruz, ha invadido su humanidad y por medio de él al género humano. Con el Jubileo queremos celebrar también esta victoria de la vida y de la libertad, porque ésta da su plena dimensión al misterio de la Redención y revela la fuerza de la Cruz. A todos vosotros os invito a ser evangelizadores y testigos de la Redención en medio de la sociedad: así realizaréis la misión a la que nos llama el Año Santo. A todos os doy con afecto mi Bendición.

Amados irmãos e irmãs de língua portuguesa, No clima da alegria pascal neste Ano Santo da Redenção, a todos saúdo com afecto em Cristo, “nossa Páscoa”. Ressuscitando, com o seu triunfo sobre o pecado, sobre o mal e sobre a morte, Cristo abriu uma nova fase na história humana: a fase da vida e liberdade dos filhos de Deus remidos. Do coração, agradecidos, digamos: aleluia!

Do mistério da Cruz e do Sepulcro vazio, nos vem essa luminosa certeza: “Deus, na sua grande misericórdia, regenerou-nos, pela ressurreição de Jesus Cristo para uma esperança viva”, a iluminar-nos no tempo, perante o contraste, em nós e à nossa volta, entre o mal e o bem, a morte e a vida: a esperança da vida eterna, com Cristo.

Neste Ano do Jubileu extraordinário, vivamos e testemunhemos mais intensamente esta esperança, procurando ser, com Cristo e por Cristo, mediante a nossa conversão pessoal e pela evangelização, cada vez mais fermento de vida nova, ao serviço da Redenção, mais forte do que o mal que existe no mundo e no homem. Na luz da Páscoa, ide e, vitalmente, dizei isso aos irmãos, com a minha Bênção Apostólica.

Ciesz się królowo Niebieska, / wesel się Pani Anielska . . . / że Syn Twój już zmartwychwstały ..."
Stajemy przed Tobą, Matko Jasnogórska, w oktawie wielkanocnej.
Kósciół w Polsce od sześciu stuleci śpiewa Ci antyfonę o Zmartwychwstałym Twoim Synu.
twychwstałym Twoim Synu,
“któregoś Ty godna była, / żeś Go na ręku nosiła, alleluja”.

W tej Maryjnej antyfonie wielkanocnej przed Obliczem Matki Jasnogórskiej łączę się z wami, drodzy Rodacy, Synowie i Córki tei samej wielkiej Rodziny Narodu. Tej samej Ojczyzny.

Dziękujemy za to, czym Zmartwychwstanie Chrystusa jest dla każdego z nas. Dziękujemy za to, czym było ono i jest dla całych pokoleń.

Dziękujemy za utajoną w nim ostateczną Nadzieję człowieka.
Dziękujemy za moc Prawdy, której nie można nieodwołalnie skazać na śmierć.
Dziękujemy za zwycięstwo Życia, którego nie można unicestwić, bo odradza się w mocy Ducha.
Śpiewamy Bogurodzicy:
Ciesz się i wesel się w niebie, / Proś Go za nami w potrzebie ...

Na Jasnej Górze, wraz z naszą Matką, przedkładamy Zmartwychwstalemu największe potrzeby ludzi i Narodu w Roku Pańskim 1983.

“Gioisci, o Regina del cielo, / rallegrati, o angelica Signora ... / perché il tuo Figlio è risorto ..."

Ci troviamo davanti a te, Madre di Jasna Gora, nella settimana dell’ottava di pasqua. La Chiesa in Polonia ti canta da sei secoli l’antifona riguardante tuo Figlio Risorto “che tu meritasti / di portare, alleluia”. In questa antifona pasquale mariana mi unisco, davanti al volto della Madre di Jasna Gora, con voi, cari connazionali, figli e figlie della stessa grande famiglia della Nazione, della stessa Patria.

Ringraziamo per tutto ciò che rappresenta per ognuno di noi la Risurrezione di Cristo. Ringraziamo per ciò che fu ed è per tutte le generazioni la Risurrezione di Cristo. Ringraziamo per la definitiva Speranza dell’uomo contenuta in essa. Ringraziamo per la potenza della Verità che non può essere irrevocabilmente condannata a morte. Ringraziamo per la vittoria della Vita che non può essere annientata, perché rinasce dalla potenza dello Spirito.

Cantiamo alla Genitrice di Dio: “Gioisci, o Regina del cielo, / prega per noi Cristo Signore, alleluia”.

A Jasna Gora presentiamo, insieme alla nostra Madre, al Risorto le più grandi necessità degli uomini e della Nazione nell’Anno del Signore 1983.

Ho ascoltato con vivo compiacimento la lettura dell’elenco dei gruppi italiani presenti a questa Udienza, e saluto di cuore ciascuno di essi come pure ciascuno dei suoi componenti. In particolare, mi piace sottolineare la presenza di varie Religiose e dei Seminaristi partecipanti ad un convegno nel Centro Mariapoli di Roccadi Papa. A loro e a tutti voi va non solo il mio sentito saluto, ma anche la mia benedizione.

Porgo poi un cordiale benvenuto a tutti i giovani presenti alla udienza di quest’oggi, tra i quali ricordo in modo particolare il folto gruppo degli aderenti all’Azione Cattolica Ragazzi della Diocesi di Pistoia, guidato dal Vescovo Monsignor Simone Scatizzi.

La vostra letizia, carissimi, è segno ed affetto della vostra fede in Cristo risorto e glorificato. In Lui è stato vinto il nostro peccato ed in Lui siamo chiamati ad una continua rinascita spirituale, che è fonte di vera gioia. Tutto ciò implica il superamento degli ostacoli che allontanano da Dio, la fedeltà alla grazia santificante frutto del sacrificio di Cristo. Essa deve essere alimentata col sacramento eucaristico e con l’assidua preghiera. Incoraggiandovi a ricopiare sempre in voi il modello di Cristo, v’imparto di cuore la confortatrice Benedizione Apostolica.

Anche a voi, cari malati, Gesù fa conoscere la fortezza e la gioia della sua risurrezione. Egli che vi ha assimilati alle sue sofferenze e vi ha fatto partecipare più intimamente alla sua offerta, imprime in voi più vive le vestigia della sua somiglianza. Docili a tale sublime lezione di amore generoso, specialmente durante questo Anno Santo, sappiate offrire la vostra croce per ottenere da Dio il ritorno di tante anime, dimenticate da Lui. Con la mia Benedizione Apostolica.

Voi, novelli sposi, che avete celebrato il vostro matrimonio in questa stagione liturgica pasquale dovete rimanere, per la grazia del sacramento, un fermento nuovo, cioè nuove creature sull’esempio del risorto; accrescete la grazia che vi è stata data e che vi farà vivere nella verità della legge divina. A voi, e alle vostre famiglie imparto di cuore la Benedizione Apostolica."