Homily: Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
John 20:1-9
31 March 2024
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez
In 2003, I spent my Holy Week in Chile. You should know that this country in South America is predominantly Catholic like the Philippines. Hence, I really did not feel I was far from home because we practically share a lot in terms of our faith practices. Similar also is their fervour in the observance of Holy Week. What I can never forget from that experience nevertheless, was what my fellow novice, a Colombian, told me on Easter morning. He surprised me by saying he felt a little “let down” or short-changed by Easter. “Para daw siyang nadaya.” Inasmuch as he wants to truly rejoice every Easter morn, he fails to see life thriving and blooming around him.
In a way, Lent still lingers in the lives of so many in the world. It is hard to imagine parents celebrating the resurrection of Jesus when they’ve lost their only child to dengue? While they may mourn a little less as the months and years go by, they will never truly stop grieving the loss of their child. What is the impact of the resurrection on people who take care of their ailing parents, witnessing their steady deterioration as the days pass? How can an innocent man, imprisoned on false accusations experience the vindication and freedom that the Easter event brings? These unfortunate situations are akin to the experience of “Lent”. If you check the news on your phone or check your social media apps frequently, you will inevitably find a lot of bad news, or sad news. In a world that is constantly hurting and broken, one must wonder how we are to experience the full meaning of the risen life.
It really got me thinking because if we cannot find vitality and vigour around us, then Christ’s resurrection is pointless. It was then that I understood that intertwined in these unfortunate circumstances of life are “little risings” — the unexpected moments of respite and of joy that point us to Easter. Jesus’ risen presence can be found everywhere if we open our eyes and hearts. He is there in the helping hand of family and friends, in the unexpected generosity of strangers and even in the gentle encouraging smiles of people who empathise with us. As followers of Jesus, it is our responsibility to make Easter apparent in our lives of our suffering brothers and sisters. In the First Reading from Acts, we hear of Peter’s great sermon, his testimony summarising salvation history. However, what follows this sermon is a commissioning, an invitation to witness to this resurrection faith in the lives of our brothers and sisters lingering in the darkness of this world.
As I have pointed out last Good Friday, our life can never be devoid of suffering, pain and death. We are called to enter into solidarity with those whose tribulations keep them from experiencing the joys of Easter. If we look around, there are still people who need our help in carrying their crosses. “There are still faces covered with blood and sweat that we must wipe clean.” There are those whose hearts are like empty tombs that need to be filled with the promise of new life. There is still work to be done. Moreover, it will take much longer than the 40 days we spent preparing our hearts for the commemoration of this moment.
Today, we rejoice in the fact that Our Lord lives! We proclaim that Christ is risen to a world that continues to suffer because this Good News of our faith will bring them the comfort and the hope that God will never abandon them. Every time we gaze on the wounds of Christ, we are assured that there are no limits to His love for us. With the crucifix before us, we continue to sing our alleluias, pressing on as an Easter people!
Sunday Gospel Reflections 