Easter Sunday (Fr. Vinner)
Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!
My Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia! Christians haste you vows to pay Alleluia! A couple of weeks ago we started what looked like a hopeless, and an endless journey. Today we have come to the end of that journey. Today is the greatest of all Sundays in the Christian calendar because of the newness of life that it brings. Today a new epoch has completely began. This is because the historical Jesus, who suffered, was crucified, died and was buried has now been glorified.
The short story is that Christ has risen in fulfillment of his promise: “I will rise on the third day.” The battle is over. There is no controversy because Jesus is Lord! Today, we celebrate the triumph of good over evil, of light over darkness, and of peace over chaos. We celebrate hope, patience and the fulfillment of God’s Promise to his people. We also celebrate the uniqueness of our religion, the resurrection of our Lord. Through his resurrection, Jesus affirms that he is the Lord of the living and the dead.
One question that we must ask ourselves this Easter Sunday is: Did I resurrect with Christ this Easter? Today’s gospel tells us that Jesus left the linen cloths in the grave. In order words he did not cling to any “worldly” thing or allowed them to pull him down. If we must rise with Christ, we must equally be ready to detach ourselves from all unnecessary things that that pull us down spiritually. Through our Lenten observances we died with Christ. So let us rise with him through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Like Paul, today our song should be that of thanksgiving to God: “We bless God the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ who in his great mercy has given us a new birth…by raising Jesus Christ from the dead”. This is because, Christ’s death was our death and his resurrection is ours too. Therefore, his joy, glory and triumph are equally ours.
As Christ’s disciples, our testimony from today shall be: “I saw Christ’s glory as he rose…Christ my hope has risen…! Like the apostles, our duty is to spread the good news of the Lord’s resurrection to the entire world. Like Peter in today’s first reading we must say to all people: “Now we are those witnesses…we eat and drank with Him after his resurrection…”
Having been raised with Christ, we must act like the living and not the dead. We must seek the things of light, things that are noble and things that glorify God. We must seek heavenly things by living like citizens of heaven rather than “earth bound spirits.” This is what Paul calls us to do today when he says: “Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is…”
In order words, we must live the type of life that is worthy of one who has risen and reigns with Christ. Let us therefore sing with the Psalmist on this glorious day of Easter: “This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.” Alleluia!
Wishing you all Happy Easter. Alleluia! Alleluia!!Alleluia!!!
FR. S.Vinner HGN