Resurrection of the Lord
Acts of the Apostles 10: 34,37-43
Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
John 20:1-9
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Resurrection is the greatest feast of our faith because our christian life is formed on the basis of Resurrection and our faith is deeply rooted and finds its meaning in the Resurrection. Resurrection is important because:
- Resurrection is the basis of our faith: because in the beginning the only teaching of Apostles was the Resurrection. That's why St. Paul says if Christ is not risen, our preaching and faith is in vain. The resurrection proves that Jesus is God. Jesus is the lord, he is risen.
- Resurrection is a victory
- It is victory over death, because death could not contain Jesus, death has no authority over Jesus
- It is a victory over Sins, because sins could not separate him from God the Father and washed away all the sins away through his blood and death.
- It is a victory over satan, because through obedience Jesus defeated the satan tricks and the disobedience of man.
- Resurrection is a Fact : it is a historical and faith event. In the Gospel, we have proof of an empty tomb and the disciples’s experience as a sign of the Resurrection of Jesus. They saw, they understood and they believed. Until then, they failed to understand his words and the scriptures but now everything is clear to them.
- Resurrection is a moment of total change : In The first reading we see Peter proclaiming and sharing his individual relationship and experience of knowing Jesus. The disciples, who once feared, lied and scattered, suddenly became courageous and now filled with joy, with conviction began to bear witness to Jesus who died on the Cross and is now alive, risen from the dead. In the second Reading also, St. Paul who persecuted Christians had an experience of Risen Jesus, this experience brought about a total change in St. Paul’s life. It gave him a new life and a new mission. We see he becomes a great apostle using all his time and energy to share and help others to know, love and follow Jesus the Risen Lord. Resurrection filled them with Joy and Courage in their lives.
- Resurrection guarantees an everlasting hope and resurrection : Jesus defeated death and rose victoriously, and he already said I am the resurrection and the Life, this way Jesus assures us that all our worries, pains, sorrows and fears will vanish one day because we will also be resurrection to be in his presence.
Dear brothers and sisters, Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and St. Paul all have seen, understood, believed and began to proclaim that “I have seen the Lord”. This is what evangelisation is all about, sharing the experience of having seen the lord and inviting them to have the same experience. Today, we have a mission to share our joy of resurrection, the real presence of Jesus, to bring hope and encouragement to the world, to bring change and transformation in the lives of the people. And to prepare everyone teaching the path of Jesus for that day of our reunion with our almighty God.
Fr. Jayaraju Manthena OCD
