Easter Sunday, Apr. 8, 2012
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: John 20:1-9 “He must rise from the dead.”
(Full sermon text) The symbolism of the Easter Vigil Mass expresses with both subtlety and strength the mysteries contained in our faith. Here we begin in darkness with just a glimmer of light from the paschal candle. What a joy it is when finally that light is spread to each person! The joy increases throughout the liturgy as the lights are slowly turned on. Once all the lights are turned on and the candles are lit, we notice that things have changed in the church. Good Friday left our church stripped and in darkness, with only the crucifixion and our memories of how our Lord suffered for us.
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Now with the new day we see our church is bursting with colors! Flowers are all around. These flowers are a symbol of the new life that comes to us in Christ. Flowers have humble beginnings as seeds tossed or blown to the ground. These seeds are nothing to look at. In fact, they are barely visible as they slowly seep into the darkness of the earth.
Beauty of growth
No one is aware of the presence of the seed in the barren earth as winter comes. The snow and ice leave it hidden; all but forgotten. But, under the right conditions, new life is possible. Fed with water, sunlight, and nutrients the plant begins to grow; first the stem, then the bud. The beauty of flowers is something we especially appreciate after a long winter. Beautiful colors burst forth, making us quickly forget about the cold snowy days. Flowers and plants give us joy, but also, more importantly, life. Almost all the oxygen in the air we breathe comes from plants.
In the drama of the Passion, the disciples are faced with death in all its gruesomeness. Those hours after the crucifixion were filled will thoughts of despair after seeing the brutal death of the man who had changed their lives and brought them so much hope. Many times we miss the brutality of the Passion. It was the inhuman destruction of a person. Jesus’ dignity was totally mocked, spit upon, and disfigured for all to see. And the disciples did see it and hear about it. Their belief in the Messiah was based on a cultural expectation of a military leader with great authority, who would restore credibility and power to Israel. Jesus tried to warn the disciples that he would “suffer greatly.” However, the reality of seeing the brutality of His death leads them to be tempted to despair. The disciples’ faith “was shaken” and seemed to be gone.
Did not expect the Resurrection
And so the women come to the tomb not to see the Resurrection, but only to see the dead body and anoint it. What they found is the “Empty Tomb!” This is a challenge placed before all of us: the tomb is empty. The stone is rolled back. The angel proclaims that “he is not here.” But, where is He? For each person this is the ultimate question. Where is He? No one can tell us what to believe. Parents can provide a fertile ground for faith. The Church can provide the Sacraments and catechesis. But, ultimately we are all faced as individuals with the “Empty Tomb.”
We are told by St. Paul in Hebrews 1:11 that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things we cannot see.” The Blessed Virgin Mary is the perfect model for us of faith. The Sacred Scriptures do not tell us what her experience was after the Resurrection, but we do know that she often “pondered” the mysteries of Jesus in her heart and she “stood at the foot of the cross.” Mary did not run from the cross as the other disciples did. She may not have known that the Resurrection would take place, but she knew that something good was going to come out of this grave evil. She “stood” and was not overcome by despair or her emotions. Easter morning her faith was rewarded as she “rejoiced” in the Resurrection with true Easter Faith. Jesus Christ is Risen!!
Like a flower in full bloom
The “Easter faith” is like a flower in full bloom. Eternal life has begun in us, because we know that Jesus is risen and this life is passing away. The winter or darkness will end and it will give way to the Risen Life with Jesus for all eternity. Mary experienced the beginning of Easter Faith after the Resurrection and it was fulfilled for her at her Assumption into heaven.
We too have been given the opportunity to receive Easter Faith. The Empty Tomb is a challenge. For those that except that Jesus is truly Risen a whole new world opens up for them. They find joy and peace beyond understanding in this Easter Faith and it will one day be fulfilled for all eternity in heaven with the Risen Lord!
See all the homilies of Fr. Joseph