EASTER SUNDAY: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: REJOICE IN THE RESURRECTION POWER ALLELUIA

(John 20: 1-9)

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Indeed, all praise and honour, adoration, and thanksgiving be unto the Lord for the marvellous thing He has done for us. Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it, Alleluia. Amen.

The Alleluia that went on a leave is back again. The Church bids Christians all over the world and indeed all heavenly powers to rejoice because Christ the Lord is risen. Yes! He is the reason for our joy. His strong right hand has shattered the enemy. The Lord is His name.

 

WHY ARE WE REJOICING?

THE LOVE OF GOD IS BEYOND THE WILL AND POWER OF EVIL

The joy the Lord releases for us today is not optional. It is a compulsory one. It has always been the will of God down through the ages that we live in joy, gladness, happiness, peace, freedom, and good relationships with Him and our fellow human beings. That's why He made man and placed him in the Paradise called Eden.

But this desire of God is not a welcomed idea for the devil, the enemy of our peace. He was not happy at the beautiful rapport that existed between God and Man. He was not comfortable with the position man occupied and the attention, care, and love God lavished on man. Imagine the routine visits of God to Adam and Eve, think of the loud laughter of the fortunate duo in conversation with God, and think of the state of sinlessness and innocence man enjoyed. Consider the angelic ministrations man savoured. Reflect on the state of man not labouring to eat. All these did not go down well with the evil one, and he visited Eve with a smile and wisdom that was deceptive. And evil was introduced into the human family. Man lost his place. The privilege and free access to God were denied him. The devil followed man on even into the family of Israel and Joseph, who was to be the joy of the family was sold. That was not enough. He followed him down to Egypt with temptations and imprisonment, but God started making plans of salvation. The wicked one came again through the Pharaoh that knew not Joseph. God led His people out and resettled them. But they were still under the grip of the devil. Hence, the need to save man totally from the devil.

Only the Son of God will pay the price. And the greatest price of the life of God was used. When the enemy saw this Son as Man, he fought Him tirelessly, and He died. That was the holy sacrifice. But He rose on the third day. Amen. For this, we are most joyful. For this, we must rejoice. We have regained the friendship of God we lost in Adam. We have the angels once again at our beck and call. We are no longer slaves. We are no longer captives.  The grave has been thrown open, and darkness has been destroyed. O yes, the darkness of betrayal, of condemnation, of bearing the Cross, etc. All these have given way. The paschal lamb has given light to the world. May we, therefore, let this light of joy, peace, goodness, and reconciliation shine on.

 

OUR FEARS ARE GONE

In Gethsemane, Christ feared and prayed. He feared losing to weakness and wickedness, to flesh and to the world even though His spirit was willing. On the cross, Christ prayed: Eloi, Eloi...with the feeling and fear of being abandoned.

In the Gospel today, the women feared that Jesus may have been taken away. In another version, they feared who would roll away the stone for them. But God has the final answer to our fears. In our fears, we must trust. God will never disappoint us. He is faithful to His word. He foretold that Christ would rise on the third day. And today He's alive. He is risen.

You too shall rise. Have you been crushed? have you been brought low? are you suffering persecutions? Are you about to give up in fear? The Lord raise His Son, He will raise you. Let that be your joy as you move on.

 

THEY'RE IN THE PAST

Rejoice Child of God today because of Jesus for all He suffered are now in the past. He will never die again. He lives forever. Alleluia.

Most of the things you pass through now will someday be in the past.  Your struggles will be in the past when you work with the power of the resurrection. It is a power that gives hope and courage to forge ahead.

Jesus had this power and moved on. Today, we may ask: Where is the betrayal of Judas? Where is Peter's denial? Where are the soldiers' insults? Where is Pilate's unfair judgement? Where are all these and many more? They are in the past now.

What are your present challenges? With God, they will be in the past. Don't fail to ride on believing that God will make them pass away in due time. On your own third day, look back and thank God. Look back and thank God for all you've been through.

Christ conquered death. You will conquer also.

 

MEDITATE

What is possibly going to make you not fully feel the resurrection power in your life?

Who has taken away your Lord? Does it touch you that you're not in good standing with God even after His death and resurrection?

Can you be like Peter and begin to run for the course of Christ even after your many denials?

Start today to live happy and make things of God your source of joy.

May the joy of the Lord be your strength as you journey with the resurrected Christ. May no one steal your joy and peace. May the power of the resurrection empower you in all you do.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

Thank You, Lord, for giving us the grace to celebrate this great day of joy after contemplating your Passion. May we continue to savour the joy of your resurrection and rise from darkness, from sin from fears and from pains and sorrows into the glory your resurrection power promises us now and forever. Amen

 

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU (YR C)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 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

 

 EASTER SUNDAY: HOMILY BY FR. ISAAC CHIMA

They thought they have conquered 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 arrived at that day that defined our faith. The day that gave birth to the gospel we proclaim. If Christ had not risen from the dead, our faith would have been in vain. In fact, we would not have been here under this banner; there wouldn’t have been any Christianity. The resurrection of Christ is at the centre of our faith, it is the beginning of our faith. The resurrection narrative was always the beginning of every homily in the life of the early Christians, it was their reference point, it gave them authority and power.

Dear friends, we are lucky to be beneficiaries of this absolute power of God over the power of darkness and death. We are blessed to be associated with the resurrection power of Christ, the power that conquered the evil forces that wanted to rule the world, the power that shattered the stone that was used to cover the tomb, the power that defeated the dominion of the devil, the power that fulfilled the plan of God’s redemption of humanity from the failure of our first parents.

Today, light has conquered darkness, life has conquered death, grace has conquered sin, freedom has prevailed over slavery, justice has returned to the seat of judgement, Jesus has won the battle for us. Our hearts should be jubilating over this victory. Once more, we can smile, laugh and dance, because God did not allow death to have the last laugh in the history of our salvation. We can stand with our heads raised high because we are children of victory. Jesus has given us victory. Let us raise this banner of victory high in everything we do and say.

At the center of the victory of Christ’s resurrection is a saying that has a lesson for us. It goes this way: ‘it was at that time when his enemies thought that they have conquered Him that God in his infinite power raised Him to the heights.’

Dear friends, Jesus came into the world with the mission to set us free from the dominion of the devil and to return to God the Father. But the devil wanted to halt that mission, he wanted to keep us his slaves forever. To achieve his plan of thwarting the mission of Christ, the devil instigated the men of authority and they killed Jesus. With His shameful death on the cross, His burial, the heavy stone that was used to cover the mouth of the tomb and the heavily armed guards at the grave, the enemy thought he has conquered the Prince of life and have put an end to his mission.

However, it was at that time when the devil and his cohorts were rejoicing, that God, in his infinite power, disappointed them by raising Jesus from the dead. It was at that point when they thought that they have conquered him that they actually hastened the realization of his mission on earth, which was to die for us and to return to the father.

What does this tell us? It tells us not to lose hope whenever we feel we have been conquered by the difficulties and realities of life. It tells us that there will always be a joyful development in the sorrowful stories of those who believe in God. It tells us that failure will not be the end of the story for those who believe in God. It tells us that God is capable of disappointing our enemies in their evil plans against us. It tells me not to give up when I have been hit down by the problems of the world. The power of the resurrection of Christ gives me this assurance, it is my guarantee of ultimate victory in life. Remember, it was at that time when they thought they have conquered Jesus that God disappointed them by raising Him from the dead.

The challenge for us is to open our eyes of faith and look beyond the source of our sorrows. In the extension of the gospel reading of today, Mary Magdalene focused her entire attention on the grave. Hence, she was unable to recognize the risen Christ. She was at the grave sweeping, asking God to give her back her Lord and consoler, asking God to bring Jesus back to life. But then, when the answer to her prayer stood before her, she couldn’t recognize him, because she was soaked in her sorrows.

Dear friends, it is not wrong to cry when we have been hit down by problems or when we have been disappointed, but it would be wrong if we become absorbed in our sorrows to the point that we fail to look up to God. Most times, when we become absorbed in our sorrows and keep focusing on the closed door (the empty tomb in the case of Magdalene), we will not notice that God has opened another door – a better door – for us. Through the power of Christ’s resurrection, God opens an alternative door, a better door to those who focus on Him with faith during turbulent times. May the power of Christ’s resurrection open our eyes to see the solution God has given to us in our problems. Amen

Happy Easter

Fr Isaac Chima

 

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

https://chimaisaac.medium.com/easter-sunday-homily-by-fr-justin-adiele-1a6ed39fc750