The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Edwin Fernandez SVD – Divine Word College of Laoag, Ilocus Norte
Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
The story of Jesus of Nazareth must be the most beautiful story of all. Though his life went through the most painful and humiliating experiences, all led to the greatest and most glorious victory that we could ever imagine and hope for.
Today, the Church, the community of Jesus’ friends, proclaims to the whole world: “The Lord is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!” Like St. Paul, we confidently ask: “Where, Death, is your victory? Where, Death, is your power to hurt?” (1 Corinthians 15:55) Jesus has conquered sin and death; his victory is complete and definitive. His glorious triumph is also ours as we believe in Him and commit ourselves to sharing in His paschal mystery – in His life, mission, suffering and death out of love for the Father and for all creation.
HAPPY EASTER!!! Easter joy is not meant to be short-lived but permanent and “contagious.” Jesus’ friends were overwhelmed with joy when they saw Him risen from the dead. In the first reading, Peter’s testimony that the disciples ate and drank with Jesus after he rose from the dead speaks of a totally new experience that changed their lives forever. As we offer each other the joy and peace that come from our Risen Lord, let us continue to ponder on this great mystery and open our hearts to its graces and challenges. In the second reading, we are asked to leave behind our boasting, malice and wickedness. We can truly celebrate the risen Christ by living in sincerity and truth, abandoning the tomb of deceit and lies.
The Easter story is indeed:
EXTRAORDINARY. Rising from the dead, Jesus shows us that our faithful God will transform our lives from the ordinariness of our sorrows and pains, into the extraordinariness of His life.
AWESOME. Life may be hard and awful at times, but the Good News of the Resurrection will always keep the sense of awe and wonder alive in us.
SALVIFIC. The mission, suffering and death of Jesus would simply be a heroic story without his resurrection. But, because He had the power to rise from death, he can really save us as we embrace our own suffering and death. His unwavering love is our hope’s foundation.
TRANSFORMATIVE. In encountering the risen Jesus, the disciples’ faith was rekindled and their hearts burned again with passion for the Lord’s mission – proclaiming to the whole world God’s Kingdom of justice, love, and peace.
ETERNAL. Jesus rose from death to change our life FOREVER: from temporary sadness to unending joy, from our passing world to a new heaven and a new earth that’s eternal.
REAL. Jesus’ Resurrection is true and real. The disciples experienced it. Though Thomas doubted at first, he later believed that Jesus was his Lord and God. The disciples sacrificed their lives to share the Good News with all peoples and did it for the sake of an IRRESISTIBLE AND LIBERATING TRUTH and not for a lie.
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!
