Resurrection marks triumph of good over evil

Today, Easter Sunday, marks the end of Holy Week.

Based on the Gospels, Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion, which would be Sunday. His resurrection marks the triumph of good over evil, sin and death.

It is the singular event which proves that those who trust in God and accept Christ will be raised from the dead.

Since Easter represents t he fulfillment of God's promises to mankind, it is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar.

Liturgist Fr. Mhar Vincent Balili

said the word "Easter" has its roots on ancient polytheistic religions or paganism if the word is taken etymologically.

"The English word comes from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre or Estera, a Teutonic goddess of the rising light of day and spring to whom sacrifice was offered in spring equinox, also the name of a goddess of fertility and spring, perhaps originally of sunrise. Anglo-Saxon Christians adopted her name for their Mass of Christ's resurrection," he said.

Also, the term "Easter" was derived from the Greek word, which means "Passover."

"The Jewish people celebrated Passover as a commemoration of their liberation by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses. The Jewish Christians in the early Church continued to celebrate the Passover, regarding Christ as the true paschal lamb, and this naturally passed over into a commemoration of the death and resurrection of our Lord, or an Easter feast," said Balili.

He said the resurrection of Jesus Christ implies that He conquered death and sin thus, saved God's people through the love of His begotten Son.

"The resurrection of Christ is the reward of His suffering and death on the cross. His resurrection gives meaning to His suffering and death on the cross. Hence, there is a reward that awaits for those who suffer," said Balili.

"Jesus' death was a result of His love. Love and suffering are two sides of the same coin. For those who love, they learn to suffer for their beloved. But such suffering is the source of joy - it is the reward of loving," he added.—