First Reading: Acts 10:34a.37-43 / Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:1-2.15c-17.22-23 (R. 24) Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 or I Corinthians 5:6b-8 Gospel Acclamation: I Corinthians 5:7b.8a / Gospel: John 20:1-9
Theme: We Are Easter People And Alleluia Is Our Song!
Christ the Lord is risen again, Alleluia!
Christ has broken every chain, Alleluia!
Hark, the angels shout for joy, Alleluia!
Singing evermore on high, Alleluia!
Within three days, everything has been like a sudden flash of light. What has happened? All that the prophets foretold long ago came to fulfilment in Jesus Christ. Jesus died a very shameful and excruciating death. Nonetheless, he resurrected, for death could not hold him captive. He is the winner. God wins! Satan and sin are conquered! Tetelestai! Indeed, it is finished! It is complete!
In the first reading, St. Peter, bears witness to the resurrection of Christ when he says “…but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead” (Acts 10:40-41). We are very much aware that dead people neither eat nor drink because the organs for such processes all die with the corrupting material body. An empty grave was seen which proves Christ the Saviour is alive, never to die again! This calls for joy. It is good news (Gospel). It makes us happy and the Responsorial Psalm actually encourages such a mood: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad” (Ps. 118:24). Thus, joy must fill our hearts.
The joy which the resurrection of Christ brings must translate first into a newness of life; a life of holiness and grace in contradistinction to a life of sin and weakness. By the resurrection, a timid, fearful and impulsive Peter is transformed into a courageous, outspoken and influential leader. So, how can we embrace newness of life in Christ? St. Paul gives us a clue when he says “Brethren, you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). He further adds: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2). Positive change is the new lifestyle! The life of prayer, fasting and alms-giving we embraced during Lent must now be part of us.
Secondly, the resurrection of Christ must lead us to a life of active and genuine witness. We must evangelise others and win them for Christ. Just as Peter bore witness to the risen Christ, so also must we bear witness in words, actions and deeds. For some people, the only Bible they can readand practise is how we live our lives. They copy and draw inspiration from us whether good or bad. They may be our secret admirers, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were to Jesus, and that is the more reason why we should set good Christian examples worthy of emulation.
Thirdly, like Mary Magdalene and the other women who were unflinchingly loyal to Christ, let us express our love for Jesus Christ by loving one another. When we do so, we are spreading the Good News of salvation, of love, joy, hope and peace. Just imagine Mary Magdalene going to the tomb at dawn, a time which was not only risky but also prohibited for women in view of prostitution, a practice which was punishable by stoning. She could have been accused of prostitution, yet, because of deep love, she disregarded all that. Thus, genuine love is fearless, unconditional, limitless, boundless and sacrificial. This is what we are called to do as Christians.
In our world today, many are drawn to individualism, secularism, materialism and unbelief. Many Christians are gradually embracing cross-less Christianity, a phenomenon motivated by imbalanced, unfounded and materialistic theology of prosperity. Make-me-feel-good preaching is making a lot of us lazy and unrealistic! Money-minded so-called men and women of God keep their followers in churches and prayer camps 24/7 without teaching them the importance and dignity of labour. According to the renown American preacher, Bishop T. D. Jakes, “You can’t use prayer to replace laziness. No investment means no return.” So, we must pray but work too!
Our youth must understand that there is no such thing as easy success. Good examination results depend on strategic, constant, focus and repetitive learning. A good marriage thrives when each partner learns to sacrifice. Our master Jesus took this path of sacrifice and doused it with humility, obedience, hard work and dedication. By so doing, he saw the cross as his glory, and his death as victory over Satan and sin. Let us imitate him so that by dying with him, we can also share in his resurrection. By dying, Christ destroyed our death and by rising, he restored our life.
Beloved in Christ, let us show gratitude to Christ by embracing his example and living in selfless love. May God grant us the resurrection power in all our endeavours! Be joyful and hopeful in Christ. We have every cause to celebrate our hero, celebrity, model, best friend and God, Jesus, for he won victory for us! Praise the Lord, alleluia! Praise the living Jesus, he is risen indeed, alleluia! Happy Easter! Remember: # We-Are-Easter-People-And-Alleluia-Is-Our-Song#
Prayer: You came from heaven to earth to show the way.
From the earth to the cross, my debt you paid.
From the cross to the grave; from the grave to the sky.
Lord I lift your name on high
By Rev. Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior, C.S.Sp
