EASTER 2009

Intro:  The Lord is risen.  Let us rejoice, alleluia.  Without a doubt, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central mystery of our faith, and what gives meaning to our lives as Christians.  Its celebration is so great that it touches our lives in the past, the future and the present.

I.   We remember the past—the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  This is what we rejoice in and  celebrate today.  Our faith in the resurrection of Christ is what leads us to faith that Jesus is the Son of God, came into the world, suffered and died amongst us, to manifest the great personal love of God for all of us.  St. Paul tells us: “If Christ has not been raised from the dead, our faith is in vain.”   Without the resurrection of Jesus, there would be no Christianity, no hope to overcome the evil of this world, no hope to be freed of our own sinfulness, and no hope for eternal life.  How sad our lives would be without this faith in the Resurrection of Jesus.

II.   Because of our faith in the Resurrection of Jesus, we look to the future in hope.  This hope is that we like Christ, shall be raised from death and come to the fullness of the eternal love and life of God Himself.  The whole thought of our baptism is that we have been buried with Christ and rise with Christ to a new life, the beginning of eternal life.  This is the reason why each Easter throughout the world after the homily, we renew our Baptismal promises.  Easter would have no meaning and no joy for us if we do not live in the hope of eternal life.  Death will come into all our lives, sooner or later, but because of the Resurrection of Christ, we do not believe that death is the end of life, but the beginning of a new and eternal life.

III.   And it is this confident hope in the future that leads us to a life of love now in the present.  “A new commandment I give you , love one another as I have loved you.”  If we hope to be united with Christ for all eternity, we must be united with him now in the present.  Our Lord gives us the example for our lives, by living a life of self giving love, and he calls us to follow him in that way, caring for others, helping others, forgiving others, reaching out to those in need around us.  And we are called by Christ to begin with our own families, asking God’s help to live with patience and forgiveness, Understanding and compassion, truly loving one another as Jesus loves us. 

End:  And Jesus give us the power to love others as He has loved us, by giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit, and nourishing us with his very body and blood.  As we come forward for Communion today, let us truly give thanks and praise for the past, for our hope in the future, and for our struggles to love one another like Christ in the present.   

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ is with us right now, Christ will come again in glory.  The Lord is risen.  Let us rejoice, alleluia.  Happy Easter to all.