The gospels attest unambiguously the physical resurrection of Jesus. The empty tomb, His having breakfast with the disciples, His showing of His wounds to St Thomas all underline the truth that it was not simply an imaginary “spiritual experience” on the part of His followers.

At the same time, His physical presence is also changed. Our Lord enters through closed doors and He is not always recognised immediately. The resurrection of Our Lord was something greater than the resurrection of Lazarus or the son of the widow of Naim. Our Lord is risen to die no more, and to share with us the glory that He has won by His triumph over sin and death. This participation in the life of Christ is made possible for us through the life of the Church in which Our Lord lives, teaches and makes us holy through the sacraments.

We have mourned the passion and death of Our Lord during Lent and Passiontide. Beginning with the great Feast, we rejoice and are glad together with Our Lady, St Mary Magdalen and the other women, St Peter, St John, the apostles, and all the followers of the risen Christ.