Can Easter make a difference in our lives?
Morning Mass
Acts 10: 34a, 37-43; Psalm 118; Col 3: 1-4 (or 1 Cor 5: 6-8); John 20: 1-9 (or Mark 16: 1-7)
Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap
Luke 24 tells us the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection of Jesus. From that event, we can see that Easter announces four qualities that could make a difference in our lives:
- Peace- Luke 24:36 Jesus knew they were confused and frightened. Naturally any unprecedented even like death and resurrection can leave people confused and frightened. He always understands our feelings, so he said in verse 36, “Peace be unto you.” This is the first and immediate application of Easter: Peace. Without sticking on to Jesus there is no peace. Jesus is our peace.
- Joy- Luke 24:41 The preceding verses tell us that the disciples were confused and thought they were seeing a ghost. They wanted to believe their joy; but their weak faith said, “This can’t be happening!” Jesus let them feel him to see that he was flesh and bones, and he ate in their presence. When Jesus settles our frustrations, peace brings it’s companion, joy. Joy is a natural byproduct of peace when we understand the reason for our peace. And, joy is always better than happiness. The world wants happiness and fun. Happiness depends on outside stimuli being right, but joy comes from inner peace. Fun disappears when we’re sad, but we can have inner comfort and joy even in tragedy. When we lose our loved ones, we’re sad; but we have joy knowing they are with the Lord. Jesus is our true joy.
- Hope– Luke 24:44 A third quality Easter brings is hope. If Jesus fulfilled all prophecies concerning his first coming, he’ll surely fulfill the promise of verse 49. That promise is the Holy Spirit. Sure enough, Jesus has returned in spirit now. When Jesus was here in person he was limited by his physical body to one place at a time. Now he can be with all his children all the time and everywhere. That gives us hope. Jesus is our hope.
- Mission–Luke 24: 47-48 Easter also brings a duty. Mission is a Bible word that the secular world has adopted lately. The church always needs a mission statement to remind us of who we are, why we’re here, and where we’re going. We are God’s ambassadors here on earth continuing his work of evangelizing, and ministering to our world. Preaching the good news is our duty.
“The Christ event began with life from an empty womb and ended with life from an empty tomb”. William Hull