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 Easter Sunday: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: They believed they had defeated Him, but God disappointed them.

Readings: Acts: 10:34a.37-43; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9

Dear friends, we have reached the day that defined our faith—the day that birthed the gospel we share. If Christ had not risen from the dead, our faith would have been meaningless. In truth, we wouldn’t be gathered here under this banner; Christianity would not have existed. The resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of our faith; it marks the beginning of our belief. For the early Christians, the resurrection story was always the starting point of their messages; it served as their foundation, granting them authority and strength.

Dear friends, we are fortunate to experience this incredible power of God over darkness and death. We are blessed to be connected to the resurrection power of Christ, the force that triumphed over the evil that sought to dominate the world, the power that rolled away the stone sealing the tomb, the power that vanquished the devil’s reign, and the power that fulfilled God’s plan to redeem humanity from the failures of our first parents.

Today, light has triumphed over darkness, life has overcome death, grace has defeated sin, freedom has emerged victorious over bondage, and justice has reclaimed its rightful place. Jesus has fought the battle for us. Our hearts should rejoice in this victory. Once again, we can smile, laugh, and dance, for God ensured that death would not have the final word in our salvation story. We can hold our heads high, for we are children of victory. Jesus has granted us triumph. Let us proudly display this banner of victory in all that we do and say.

At the heart of Christ's resurrection victory lies this profound lesson: 'It was precisely when His adversaries believed they had defeated Him that God, in His infinite power, elevated Him to glory.'

Dear friends, Jesus entered our world with the purpose of liberating us from the grip of the devil and guiding us back to God the Father. Yet, the devil sought to thwart this mission, aiming to keep us in bondage forever. To execute his plan, the devil incited those in power to crucify Jesus. With His humiliating death on the cross, His burial, the massive stone sealing the tomb, and the heavily armed guards, the enemy believed he had triumphed over the Prince of Life, effectively ending His mission.

However, it was in that very moment of the enemy's celebration that God, in His infinite might, turned the tables by raising Jesus from the dead. At the time they thought they had won, they inadvertently advanced the fulfilment of His mission on earth. His mission was to die for us and return to the Father.

What can we learn from this? It reminds us to hold onto hope, even when life's challenges seem overwhelming. It assures us that there will always be a joyful turn in the sorrowful narratives of those who trust in God. It teaches us that failure does not signify the end for believers. It reassures us that God can thwart the malicious plans of our adversaries. It encourages me not to surrender when faced with life's trials. The power of Christ's resurrection instils in me the confidence of ultimate victory. Remember, it was at the moment they thought they had defeated Jesus that God surprised them by raising Him from the dead.

Our challenge lies in awakening our faith and looking beyond the sources of our grief. In today’s gospel reading, Mary Magdalene was so fixated on the tomb that she failed to recognize the risen Christ standing before her. She was consumed by her sorrow, pleading with God to return her Lord and comforter, yearning for Jesus to come back to life. Yet, when the answer to her prayers stood right in front of her, she couldn’t recognize him, because her heart was heavy with sorrows.

Dear friends, it’s natural to weep when faced with difficulties or disappointments. However, it becomes a problem when we allow our grief to overshadow our ability to look up to God. Often, when we are fixated on our pain and the closed doors in our lives (like the empty tomb for Mary), we miss the new opportunities that God has opened for us—opportunities that are often far better. Through the resurrection of Christ, God provides a new path for those who maintain their faith in Him during challenging times. May the power of Christ’s resurrection help us to see the solutions that God has already placed before us in our struggles. Amen.

Happy Easter.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima