Easter Sunday

There is no day of the entire year that can compare with Easter Sunday. Jesus died but rose from the dead. If he had not risen, his apostles would have drifted apart. It was only the resurrection, along with the sending of the Spirit that gave his followers the courage and the purpose to go on talking about him.

           The words of Good News that greet the women when they arrive at the empty tomb of Jesus are: “Why seek the living among the dead?” “He is Risen.” He is not here.” “Go tell his disciples.” The women did as they were instructed. The women were first to receive the new of the resurrection, and the first to see Him in His glory. And, because of their story and Jesus’ appearances to the Apostles that convinced them, his followers were not afraid to preach about Him to the world.

           The disciples did not understand the consequences of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, yet they believed. Our task is to ponder the consequences for ourselves today. Our faith is founded on that witness, to Jesus’ actual resurrection. In our faith we find hope, hope that there is a way out of any darkness, hope that God can take any disaster, any tragedy and make something good come out of it. The empty tomb gives us hope, hope that death is not the end of our existence, hope that death is not the end of life for those we love. Easter is the answer to all the tears that we shed at the graves of our loved ones because it tells us God has better things planned for us. Easter prepares us for a new way of life, one that holy angels guide with their own lightness. As St. Mother Teresa said, “Do not search for Jesus in far off land; He is not there. He is in you. Just keep the lamp burning and you will always see Him.” He is Risen! Alleluia! A Jesuit novice asked his superior general about the best way to increase vocations, he replied unhesitatingly, “Live you own vocation Joyfully. For Joy attracts others to Christ.”