Everything that we believe in our faith, all things that we hold so dear to our hearts and everything that we do every single Sunday, points to this feast that we celebrate today: the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord. Without the resurrection, there is really no point to everything that we do here. Without the resurrection, Christianity or Catholicism would simply be reduced to an ideology or a philosophy of life that tries to articulate how to live a good and moral life. Period. Without the resurrection, what Christ underwent and experienced – all those healing miracles that he did, his teachings and his death on cross—would simply be reduced to an experience of a man who didn’t have good luck in his mission or cause. But, Christ did resurrect; he rose from the dead, which means that there is so much more that is in store for us after all these things that we have in this life come to end. With the resurrection of Jesus, we have been assured that the faith that we profess is not simply there to guide us or to give us a structure on how to lead a good and moral life –or that after we die – there is nothing more to look forward to, but rather, it convinces us that our real citizenship is really in the kingdom of God, and we are truly created for that kingdom.
Listening to the gospel for today, it seems that the characters in the story – Mary Magdalene, Peter and the other disciples—were really in a dilemma as to how to understand what they found out: the tomb was empty. They themselves couldn’t fathom that the man whom they have been following for quite sometime would truly rise from the dead—they just couldn’t believe it. As soon as Mary Magdalene saw that the tomb was empty, she thought right away that someone must have removed him from the tomb. It wasn’t until Jesus himself appeared to her and introduced himself that she recognized him. They didn’t realize right away that the tomb was empty because Christ had risen from the dead. Sometimes we can also be like Mary Magdalene or Peter. One might be able to say that he/she has been following the Lord for quite some time, or even devoted a great deal of his/her time serving God, but when one is struck or beset with great difficulty that same believer could easily question whether there is really a point to everything that we believe or if there is even a God out there? The empty tomb strongly suggests to us that God has indeed triumphed over suffering and death; and, that sufferings and even death don’t really have the final word. One of the contentions against the existence of God is that if there is really God, then why do we have all these sufferings like unexpected health problems, failed relationships, wars and natural catastrophes in the world? Can’t he stop them? It seems to be inconsistent with a God who is merciful, compassionate and loving. God could have created us in a very different way without really giving us the option of choosing between right or wrong. But, because of his great love for us, he wanted to share with us who he is – and, who he is, is someone who is free, yet responsible. And, this freedom that he gave, if not used responsibly could really cause lots of suffering to us and to other people. Wrong and selfish decisions could bring havoc and damage to our lives and to others. But, if ever we find ourselves in great difficulty or suffering in whatever aspects of our lives, we take Jesus as a model. What do you do to reassure someone that a particular drink contains no poison? You drink it yourself first, in front of him. This is what God has done for humanity: he has drunk the bitter cup of the passion. So, human suffering can’t be a poisoned chalice; it must be more than negativity, loss, and absurdity if God himself has chosen to savor it. At the bottom of the chalice/cup, there must be a pearl. We know the name of that pearl:
resurrection! As St. Paul wrote to the Romans, "In my estimation, all that we suffer in the present time is nothing in comparison with the glory which is destined to be disclosed for us" (Romans 8:18), and again, we also hear these words from the Book of Revelation: "He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness or pain. The world of the past has gone" (Revelations 21:4).
So, whatever our situation may be right now — struggling with a chronic illness, loss of a loved one, failed relationships, financial hardships, acceptance from family or whatever it maybe – remember that Christ is no longer in the tomb; he is absent in the tomb because he is already in our midst. And, that means, he has given us new hope and new life.
Do our lives give witness to the joy of resurrection? Or, are we still stuck in Good Friday?
My profoundest congratulations to those who received the various sacraments of initiation in our Easter Vigil this year. Some of them have journeyed for a long time, have undergone years of soul-searching to arrive at this very crucial point in their lives. They have answered the invitation of the Lord with openness, docility and perseverance. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the two RCIA teams (English and Spanish) who have been such a formidable, loving and caring support to the RCIA participants. Our parish is so blessed to have very dedicated, faith-filled, compassionate, fun and loving RCIA teams led by Mike and Peggy Flanigan (English) and Jessica Rios (Spanish). Let us continue to lift up to the Lord those who received the sacraments in the Easter Vigil that they may remain steadfast in the faith and walk in the light of Christ.
Happy Easter! – Fr. Cary