Why Are You Seeking the Living Among the Dead

Homily for Easter Sunday

Today we begin the 50 day celebration of Easter. “Easter” literally means “the feast of fresh flowers.” Easter is the greatest and the most important feast in the Church’s Liturgical Cycle

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” The various Gospel accounts of the resurrection usually include an angel or two who speak to the women. The Gospel of St. John relates that an angel said to Mary Magdalene, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

The Egyptian pyramids are world-famous as one of the “seven Wonders” of the ancient world. But they are actually gigantic tombs containing the mummified bodies of Egyptian Pharaohs. Westminster Abbey is famous, and thousands visit it, because the dead bodies of famous writers, philosophers, and politicians are entombed there. However, there is an empty tomb in the holy city of Jerusalem. It is known as the Shrine of the Holy Sepulcher, and pilgrims from all over the world visit that tomb which is empty with a note at its entrance which says, “He is not here.” It is famous because Jesus Christ, who was once buried there, rose from the dead, leaving an empty tomb, as he had told his disciples he would.

When, in an interview, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York was asked who is the most influential person in his life, he answered, without hesitation, “Jesus Christ, of course.” A bit perplexed, the interviewing reporter clarified, “I meant someone who is alive.” To which the Cardinal answered, with all the surety of not merely belief, but first-hand experience, “You know? Jesus IS alive!”

The Resurrection of Christ is the basis of our Christian Faith. It is the greatest of the miracles, for it proves that Jesus is God. That is why St. Paul writes: “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain; and your Faith is in vain” (I Cor 15:14). “Jesus is Lord, He is risen” (Rom 10:9), was the central theme of the kerygma (or “preaching”), of the Apostles

Easter is the guarantee of our own resurrection. Jesus assured Martha at the tomb of Lazarus: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me will live even though he dies…” (Jn 11:25-26).

Easter is a feast which gives us hope and encouragement in this world of pain, sorrows and tears. It reminds us that life is worth living. It also gives us strength to fight against temptations and freedom from unnecessary worries and fears.

Easter gives meaning to our prayers: It supports our belief in the Real Presence of the Risen Jesus in and around us, in His Church, in the Blessed Sacrament, and in Heaven, hearing our prayers, and so gives meaning to our personal as well as our communal prayers.

Let us live the lives of Resurrection people: We are not supposed to lie buried in the tomb of our sins, evil habits, dangerous addictions, despair, discouragement or doubts. Instead, we are expected to live a joyful and peaceful life, constantly experiencing the living presence of the Risen Lord Who loves us in all the events of our lives and amid the boredom, suffering, pain, and tensions of our day-to-day life. The conviction of the Real Presence of the Risen Lord with us and within us and all around us, enables us to lead disciplined Christian lives. It will help us to control our thoughts, desires, words, behaviors, and actions. This salutary awareness of the presence of the Risen Lord within us inspires us to honor our bodies, keeping them holy, pure and free from evil habits and addictions. Our conviction that the loving presence of the Risen Lord dwells in our neighbors and in all those we encounter, should encourage us to respect them and to render them loving, humble, selfless service. We need to become transparent Christians, radiating the Risen Lord around us in the form of selfless and sacrificial agape love, mercy, compassion, and a spirit of humble service.