Arthur D. Johnson, O.S.A.
Church of Saint Augustine
Andover, Massachusetts
Readings
Acts 10: 34a, 37-43
Ps 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Col 3: 1-4, or 1 Cor 5: 6b-8
Jn 20: 1-9
Easter is the most important feast of the Church and world. As St. Paul says “If Christ is not risen from the dead, our faith is in vain.” Jesus rising from the tomb gave proof to all of His claims to be Son of God and Savior and Messiah. When Jesus entered the world (which we celebrate as Christmas) angels announced this great event. But when He rose from the dead while angels were present, they simply said “He is not here, go and tell His disciples.” Having proclaimed the gospel and suffered as He predicted, Jesus, now raised from the dead, waits for His followers to realize the truth and fact that He is Son of God and conqueror of sin and death.
The message of the angels was that we as disciples of Jesus must come to the truth of Him and the Gospel on our own. At His birth, the angels proclaimed the truth of His coming, at Easter it was up to the disciples, and we who follow Jesus, to recognize His completion of the mission given Him by the Father. Today reminds us that we who claim to be followers of Jesus must acknowledge the gospel and the fulfillment of our covenant with God. We best do this by living the gospel in our daily life.
Time after time Jesus reminds us that we are called to be people of love and compassion. Are we willing to rise from our sinfulness and let go of the burdens we carry so that we are free to serve one another? Easter is about believing and choosing to live the teaching of Jesus daily. Let’s remember the promise of Jesus that we too will rise with Him on the last day if we profess and practice the gospel.
