It is 4th April 2021. We are celebrating the solemnity of the Resurrection of our Lord on this Easter Sunday.
The readings are from Acts 10:34, 37-43; the second reading is from Colossians 3:1-4; and the Gospel from John 20:1-9.
Resurrection is an experience of feeling alive again.
A young man was condemned to death by the villagers and was entrusted to police. He was taken in a train to court by two police officers. He was dejected, lost hope and did not have the power to prove that he did not kill anyone. There was an old man sitting in front of him and starring at him for a long time because he was handcuffed to the train window. When the two policemen went for cup of tea. During that time, the old man enquired him about all that happened. The boy told him that he was framed into this case as he was innocent. When they reached the court, they all got down and straight away taken to the court. After the lawyers have spoken their part, the judge asked the young man to speak his mind. As soon as he heard that familiar voice, his eyes were brightening up and filled with hope. Judge was none other than the one who spoke to him in the train. Yes, it is the experience of feeling alive and hopeful.
“If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” (1 Cor.15:14).
Resurrection is the expression of our belief in Him who lives even today. “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death.” (Phil.3:10). As long as doubts and division in our heart, we cannot experience the resurrection of our Lord. When we think everything is finished, there emerges from the tomb of the Lord, the stream of life and hope to all who believe in Him. “But God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, to us chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.” (Acts.10:40).
Resurrection is the response and reward of the Father. God’s response to the cross and death of Jesus is the resurrection. A new life and new significance were given by God by the act of resurrection. Death does not have the final say rather life and eternal life in the Lord. Father’s way of accepting the death of Jesus is the resurrection. It is not limited to Jesus alone but to all who believe in Him. Love of Father surrounds the death of Jesus by the resurrection.
A new-born child was declared dead reportedly revived after being placed on his mother’s chest. On 25 March 2010, Australian mother Kate Ogg gave birth to twins Jamie and Emily. The couple eagerly waiting for a baby to be born for a long time. One of the babies was born a still baby. There is no movement, palpitation, and cry. After doctors spent 20 minutes trying to resuscitate Jamie and failed the doctors informed the parents of the child that they have lost the child. Kate said. “If he was on his way out of the world, we wanted for him to know who his parents were and to know that we loved him before he died. The warmth of the mother provided stimulation from hearing the mother’s heartbeat and that helped the baby in terms of going down the path to living as opposed to the path of death. Love resuscitated life in the dead baby. That is resurrection.
Resurrection is the Encounter of the Risen Lord through our personal sharing and proclaiming our faith in Him. The synoptic gospel presents that Mary Magdalen and other women went to the tomb of Christ. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.” (Jn.11:25). Jesus conquered death and lives among us.
The empty is the proof of our belief in the risen Lord. When we are emptying our life from all that we are attached and addicted to, we realise life gushing forth from the Risen Lord. It is time to bear witness to the risen Lord. The resurrection is central to the mission of the Church, the people of God. The power of resurrection is working in and through us who believe and accept Him and to those who have embraced life by leaving sin, insensitiveness, hardness of heart and lukewarm attitudes of faith. Do we feel that Jesus is risen in you and the world around you? The stone of unbelief is removed from our hearts and life and so let us believe and be the witnesses of life, love and hope in the Risen Lord. “Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Cor. 5:8).
The risen Lord lives in our relationships and interactions with humanity. Jesus won over death, sin, and Satan and so let us celebrate the Easter with hope, love, and peace of the Risen Christ. Tomb could not hold his power of Him and His life. (Acts.2:24; Rom.4.25). May the Risen Lord bless you all. God bless you. Have a lovely day.