Christ is risen! On this Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday), the Risen Lord stands among us—breathing peace, pouring out mercy, and renewing all creation. This is not only good news for humanity; it is the new heartbeat of the universe.
The Lenten journey, Returning to the Heart, prepared us to recognize this truth: Christ has conquered death, and with Him, all creation is called to new life. In His mercy, God heals our broken relationship with the Earth, restoring harmony between humanity and creation.
The Risen One Envelops and Transforms All Creation
During Lent, we learned to return to the heart to discern and contemplate. Today, the light of Easter shows us that «the creatures of this world no longer appear to us under merely natural guise because the risen One is mysteriously holding them to himself and directing them towards fullness as their end» (Laudato Si’ 100).
The New Testament reveals to us a Jesus, risen and glorious, present in all creation with his universal lordship. Through the mystery of his cross and resurrection, He «wished to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven» (Col 1:19-20). To look at nature with Easter eyes is to recognize that in every leaf, in every river, and in every animal, beats the glory of the Risen One. “The very flowers of the field and the birds which his human eyes contemplated and admired are now imbued with his radiant presence” (Laudato Si’ 100).
Therefore, when we work for climate justice, when we defend biodiversity, or when we commit ourselves to the causes of the poor, we are collaborating in this cosmic reconciliation, honoring and revealing the Risen One who inhabits and transfigures all creation.
Sunday: The First Fruits of the New Creation
Laudato Si’ invites us to live Sunday not only as a day of rest but as the «first day» of the new creation. The Lord’s risen humanity acts as the first fruits and «the pledge of the final transfiguration of all created reality» (Laudato Si’ 237). On this day, the liturgy of the Church joins the liturgy of creation. Sunday rest, illuminated by the Resurrection, offers healing for our broken relationships: with God, with ourselves, with others, and with the Earth.
Returning to the heart, as we did in Lent, now means celebrating every Sunday with the awareness that we are part of a reality that is already being renewed. It is the day to stop the rhythm of exploitation and enter the rhythm of gratitude and communion.
A Call to Joy and Unshakable Hope
Easter is, above all, the triumph of life over death, of hope over despair. In a world marked by ecological crisis and conflict, the promise of Jesus resounds with prophetic clarity: “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5).
This is not a distant promise—it is already unfolding among us. Creation is being renewed, and we are part of that renewal.
Our struggles, our tears for the wounded Earth, and our concern for the future do not diminish our joy—they deepen it. Because the Resurrection is not only something we celebrate; it is something we are called to live.
As Pope Francis reminds us: “Let us sing as we go. May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope” (Laudato Si’ 244).
Walking in the Light of the Resurrection
To live Easter today is to become signs of this new life:
- choosing care over indifference
- communion over exploitation
- hope over fear
Every act of love for creation, every step toward justice, becomes a visible expression of the Risen One at work in the world.
Take Action: Be Part of the Renewal
This Easter season, the invitation is clear: be part of the renewal of our common home.
Join Laudato Si’ Week and take concrete steps—personally and collectively—toward a more just, sustainable, and hope-filled world.
Because Christ is risen… and all creation is rising with Him.