Easter Sunday of the
Resurrection of the Lord
Scripture:
Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
John 20:1-9 or Mark 16:1-7
Reflection:
A blessed Easter to all of you who read our Passionist homilies and who are celebrating the Passionist Easter novena. Jesus is Risen!
In the Gospel reading, I was struck by the fact that Peter and John didn’t see the resurrection, but what they did see stirred faith in them. All they saw was an empty tomb and the rolled up burial cloths. The evidence of the resurrection was enough to evoke belief, which is the goal of John’s Gospel.
The evidence of the resurrection also abounds in our life. The sights, sounds, and smells of spring are in the air. Butterflies and seeds drift through the air. Azaleas and other new blossoms are breaking forth. The warmth and rains are making everything lush. Nature itself is a parable that speaks of the new life we long for. The evidence is everywhere.
I just finished a busy Lenten season of missions. The huge crowds struck me during my missions. The sheer numbers were evidence of God’s movement in people. One man came and shook my hand. "Father, I hadn’t been to confession in over 40 years. I went to one of the priests last night. Thank you!" A junior in high school student approached me. He is struggling with multiple addictions. He is now willing to do what it takes to come into recovery. In addition, I have been seeing a number of young people attending the parish missions. God is moving and calling all people to growth and faith.
1 Peter 1:18 tells us, "Even though you do not see him now, you believe in him." We may not "see" the actual resurrection either. But the signs are everywhere: in nature, in people’s willingness to change, in the wonderful hunger of those young and old. The evidence abounds and can evoke deeper faith and consoling hope in you and me! I pray that you will encounter plentiful evidence today and during this fifty-day Easter Season.
Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P. is a missionary preacher, author of 16 books and creator of television and radio programs airing in many cities. You can learn more about his ministry at: http://www.frcedric.org/