Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Today, as we gather with joy in our hearts and Alleluias on our lips to celebrate the central mystery of our faith: the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the readings offer us a profound insight into its significance. Easter is not an event of the past- it is a living reality that transforms us here and now. In the first reading Peter gives testimony to Cornelius and his household. Peter declares the good news that Jesus was anointed by God, performing mighty deeds and preaching peace. He affirms that the resurrection is the definitive proof of Jesus’ identity as the son of God, who offers forgiveness and salvation to all who believe. And that is what Easter invites us to be: witnesses of the Risen Christ. Not just by words, but by our transformed lives. Psalm 118 echoes this theme, proclaiming “this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” The psalmist reminds us that God’s steadfast love endures forever and that we are called to respond with gratitude and joy. In our lives, we often face trials, but the resurrection assures us that even in darkness, there is light. Every challenge can be viewed through the lens of hope and resurrection.
In today’s second reading of St Paul, writing to the Colossians reminds us that if we have been raised with Christ, then we must seek the things that are above. Easter is not just about Christ rising, it is about us rising with Him. Our lives must reflect the reality that we are no longer trapped in sin or death but called to live in the light of Christ. This means setting our minds on eternal things, not on the distractions of the world.
In today’s gospel according to John 20: 1-9 we read about resurrection events. all the Gospel writers say that early in the morning after the crucifixion, some women went to the sepulcher where Jesus’ body had been taken, and found it open and empty, naturally they recoiled in amazement. This event occurs on the first Easter morning, after Jesus’ ‘crucifixion and burial’. It begins on the first day of the week, which Christian would come to call the Lord’s Day symbolizing a new creation. The tomb was likely a rock-cut tomb typical of first century Judea, sealed with a large stone; burial cloths (linen wrappings and a face cloth) reflect Jewish burial customs. The event involves Mary Magdalene, a known follower of Jesus, and two key Apostles: Peter and the beloved disciple (commonly understood to be John, or a figure representing the ideal disciple). This narrative is crafted to show firsthand the discovery of the empty tomb. The stress on who saw, what and when, who arrived first, who entered first, who believed first- is not just storytelling, but establishes credibility and develops an awareness. The empty tomb is not by itself the proof of the resurrection but is a crucial sign. The careful description of the burial cloths indicates that Jesus’ body was not stolen (grave robbers wouldn’t unwrap the body and neatly fold the head cloth) besides, how could Christian proclaim the resurrection in the city of Jerusalem, where people could see if Jesus’ body was still there in the tomb? This scene represents the first moments of Christian belief in the resurrection, which would become the cornerstone of apostolic preaching. The scene apparently is not intended to present Jesus’ empty tomb as proof of his resurrection. In fact, it does not inspire the women to faith, but to fear and trembling. What we need to hear is the voice of the angel, which naturally calls for faith. Only those who believe the explanation given by God’s messenger can discover the true meaning of the empty tomb.
So my dear brothers and sisters as we celebrate this holy day may our hearts be filled with joy and gratitude, knowing that we are forgiven, redeemed, and made new through His sacrifice and triumph. Help us to carry the light of the resurrection in to every day, living with renewed faith and hope.
Happy Easter