Pope says Resurrection transformed history and gives meaning to life

(April 09, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI urged Christians on Monday to contemplate on the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection during the Easter holiday, offering them as examples the women in the Gospel, especially the Mother of Jesus. Speaking during the midday Eastertide ‘Regina Coeli’ prayer at the hill-top papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome, the Pope spoke to a large holiday crowd gathered in the courtyard. Easter Monday is a holiday in Rome, the Vatican and several other countries, and the 84-year old Pope is taking a few days of rest at Castel Gandolfo following a hectic Holy Week schedule. While holidaying with nature, visiting relatives or passing time with the family, the Pope said Christians should not forget that the Lord’s Resurrection is the decisive mystery of our faith. “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is without substance, and so is your faith,” the Pope said, recalling St. Paul. The Pope urged them to re-read the narrations of the Resurrection, the “stupendous event that transformed history and gives meaning to the existence of every man.” He noted that the women were the first to find the tomb open and empty on Easter morning. While running back to tell the disciples about the resurrection as announced by the angel, they met Jesus and prostrating themselves at his feet adored him. In all the four Gospels, women are given ample space not only in the resurrection narrative and elsewhere, but also in the passion and death of Jesus. The women had a special bond with the Lord, which, the Pope said, is fundamental for the concrete life of the Christian community. And among them, Mary, the Mother of the Lord is the sublime model and example of this relationship with Jesus, the Pope added.

The Pope also addressed English-speaking pilgrims in the crowd:
I am pleased to welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims present today for this Regina Coeli prayer. Today we continue our solemn Easter celebration, recalling with greater joy than ever our redemption from sin and death in Jesus Christ. May the Risen Lord pour out his grace upon us, and give us the courage to bring the Good News to others. I invoke Easter blessings upon all of you!