Friends, Christ the Lord has risen Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia! A couple of weeks ago, we started what looked like a hopeless and endless journey. Today we have come to the end of that journey. Today is the greatest of all Sundays in the Christian calendar because of the newness of life that it brings. Today a new epoch has ultimately begun. This is because the historical Jesus, who suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried, has now been glorified. The short story is that Christ has risen in fulfillment of his promise; “I will rise on the third day.” The battle is over. There is no controversy because Jesus is Lord. Today, we celebrate the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and peace over chaos. We celebrate hope, patience, and the fulfillment of God’s Promise to his people. We also celebrate the uniqueness of our religion, the resurrection of our Lord. Through his resurrection, Jesus affirms that he is the Lord of the living and the dead. Lord, thank You for the gift of Jesus’ Resurrection. Help us to leave behind sin and embrace the new life You offer. Fill our hearts with hope and joy. Guide us to share Your light with others, so they may know Your love and goodness. We praise You, now and always.
Friends, the readings for Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday remind us of God’s goodness, power, and saving work throughout history. From the Creation Story to the Exodus from Egypt, God has been at work, leading his people to freedom and a new life. In the Epistle reading, St. Paul exhorts us to die to sin and live for God, emphasizing the importance of baptism and faith in Jesus. In the Gospel reading, we hear the amazing news of Jesus’ Resurrection, which brings hope and new life to all who believe. We must ask ourselves this Easter Sunday; did I resurrect with Christ this Easter? Today’s gospel tells us that Jesus left the linen cloths in the grave. In other words, he did not cling to any “worldly” thing or allow them to pull him down. If we must rise with Christ, we must equally be ready to detach ourselves from unnecessary items that pull us down spiritually. Through our Lenten observances, we died with Christ. So let us rise with him through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Friends, as Christ’s disciples, our testimony from today shall be; “I saw Christ’s glory as he rose. Christ, my hope has risen.” Like the apostles, our duty is to spread the good news of the Lord’s resurrection to the entire world. Like Peter in today’s first reading, we must say to all people; “Now we are those witnesses. We eat and drink with Him after his resurrection.” Having been raised with Christ, we must act like the living and not the dead. We must seek the things of light, things that are noble, and things that glorify God. We must seek heavenly things by living like citizens of heaven rather than “earthbound spirits.” This is what Paul calls us to do today when he says; “Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.” Like Paul, today our song should be that of thanksgiving to God; “We bless God the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ who in his great mercy has given us a new birth by raising Jesus Christ from the dead.” This is because Christ’s death was our death, and his resurrection is ours too. Therefore, his joy, glory, and triumph are equally ours.
Friends, the message of the empty tomb was initially confusing to the disciples. They couldn’t understand where the body had gone and what had happened. However, when they were reminded of Jesus’ words, the message began to make sense to them. Similarly, the experiences of our lives can sometimes be confusing and difficult to interpret without faith. We need to remember that, through the Resurrection, God has the power to transform our lives. Just like the early disciples were so energized by the shock of the Resurrection that nothing, not even death or persecution, could stop them from spreading the Good News. We too, as Christians, must be willing to hear the message of transformation and then spread it to others. We should not keep the Good News to ourselves, but share it with others so that they too can experience the joy and hope that comes from knowing Jesus.
Friends, let us rejoice and be glad this Easter, as we celebrate the triumph of Jesus over sin and death. Let us give thanks to God for the gift of new life, and let us renew our commitment to follow Jesus, the risen Lord, wherever he may lead us. May the hope and joy of Easter fill our hearts and our lives, now and always. The Lord be with you …. May the Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Have a Blessed Easter Sunday and a Fruitful Easter Season
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The Lord is Risen Alleluia!
By: Fr. Ben Chola mccj
