EASTER SUNDAY: HOMILY
BY FR JUSTIN ADIELE
THEME: “BELIEVE AND BE RAISED WITH CHRIST”
INTRODUCTION:
My dear people of God, for forty days we commemorated the
sorrowful mysteries of Jesus our pathfinder. On Good Friday we thought
everything was over; let us return to our normal life for the one we looked up
to as the Messiah and Saviour of the world has died a shameful death at the
hands of sinners and pagans. He could not save Himself, how can He save the
world! But the news of the Resurrection of Jesus brought a new/fresh assurance
to those who knew and believed Him earlier. They recalled that He had earlier
said; destroy this Temple and in three days, I will rebuild it. He has
fulfilled His own Word and promise; He has lived up to the resurrection
promise. And today, we are gathered to celebrate His glorious mystery.
THE FIRST READING
(ACTS. 10: 34. 37 – 43)
In the first reading, after experiencing the whole drama of
Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection, St. Peter and the other apostles
believed and were raised in spirit with Christ. They sprang up as witnesses to
the resurrection faith; the life of the world to come. They became witnesses to
the love and life of Christ; witnesses to the mission of Christ; the passion of
Christ; the communion with Christ; the gospel of Christ; and witnesses to the
powers and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. And their witnesses were true by virtue
of being the closest associates of Christ. You too can be Christ’s witnesses to
the world!
THE SECOND READING
(COL. 3: 1 – 4)
In the second reading, St. Paul with a slightly
higher/deeper learning, intellect and theology, expounded the theme of
resurrection beyond just being raised from the dead. He pointing out that we
can be raised with Christ even while still on earth, if we are able to set our
minds on the things that are above the earth; things like holiness, unity,
righteousness, mercy, truth etc.
THE GOSPEL READING
(JN. 20: 1 – 9)
In the gospel reading, Mary Magdalene ran to break the news
of the resurrection to the apostles without really knowing what had occurred.
Two factors in the gospel reading gave credence to the facticity of Christ’s
resurrection. First is the open grave or the stone cover of the tomb which has
been rolled away. Ordinarily, no tomb is ever left open or unsealed whether
something is inside or not. The unsealed tomb really proved a point in the
resurrection of Christ. Second is the white linen cloths and napkin used in
wrapping the body and head of Jesus, properly folded and lying in the open
grave. After three days, a dead corpse should have started smelling; so if
anybody is presumed to have taking the body of Jesus away, he or she would
never have thought of unwrapping/unbinding the burial cloths at least to
restrain the smell, let alone unwrapping the cloths and still have the time and
comfort to properly fold them and keep them in place. The only sensible theory
is; Jesus actually rose as we rise from bed every morning and made his bed.
CONCLUSION:
My dear people of God, we rejoice today, singing the
victorious Alleluiah song of Easter, because the victory of Christ is our own
victory; the resurrection of Christ is our own resurrection; the glory of
Christ is our own glory; and the reward for those who believed in the Son of
God. If we believe in Christ, we should follow in his steps, we should witness
to the life and mission of Christ like the apostles; we should rise early to
meet him like Mary Magdalene; we should run/hasten to matters concerning Christ
like Peter and John today; and we shall certainly be raised with Him on the
last day. As you believed and have gathered to celebrate Christ’s Easter today;
may you be raised physically, spiritually, economically, and financially to a
glorious height! Amen.
Happy Easter Season!
Fr. Justin
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