Transformed by the Resurrection

Homily for Easter Tuesday

No doubt, you all know the story of how Ebenezer Scrooge was transformed by the visits of the ghosts of Christmas past, Christmas present, and Christmas future. Such a transformation is an illustration of how a person can change when visited by spirits.

Our Easter story today is similar although it involves a much greater visit than that which Mr. Scrooge enjoyed. Today Mary Magdalene meets the Risen Lord Jesus, and the encounter effects a transformation in her much greater and much more powerful. It is a transformation of faith. When we meet Mary, she is weeping and grieving the loss of her beloved teacher. When he calls her by name, she is not only overjoyed but also eager to do what Jesus asks of her. She is chosen to announce his resurrection and his coming ascension to the disciples.

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read some of Peter’s Pentecost speech. It is obvious that he also has been transformed. Inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter boldly proclaims that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. One might suppose that Peter was hesitant about such a bold proclamation to the same crowd that had called for Jesus’s crucifixion, but we do not sense any hint of hesitation in his words. Of course, Peter’s transformation was effected by the gift of the Holy Spirit. He and the other disciples had been visited that morning by the Holy Spirit. Like Mary, they were all transformed.

We all encounter Jesus each time we receive him in the Eucharist. We have all received the gift of the Holy Spirit at our baptism and its seal again at our confirmation. We each possess the power to change hearts and minds in the way we witness to our belief in the Lord Jesus, risen in glory. Our prayer today in the Eucharist is to let this transformation enable us to share the joy of belonging to Christ as both Mary and Peter did. We have been transformed by the Spirit of love, the love that was poured out for us on the cross.