CHRIST IS RISEN. ALLELUIA!
First Reading: Acts 10: 34 and 37 to 43
Second Reading: Colossians 3: 1 to 4
Gospel Reading: John 20: 1 to 9
Introduction: Today we celebrate the Feast of Easter: The resurrection of Lord Jesus. It is indeed a very joyful event for all of us believers in Christ. He has broken the chains of death and risen in triumph from the grave: A symbol of all evil forces. He wants each one of us to share in His great victory over forces of evil and death. For all Christians this is a victory day: A day of victory over sin and death. With the resurrection of Christ, we know that the darkness will not have the last word. As St. John says: "Christ was a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could never overcome." Easter is not only a celebration of Christ's rising from the dead, but is also an anticipation of our own rising from the dead. Because we already share in the risen life of Christ through baptism.
*First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Peter and other Apostles give a powerful and convincing testimony regarding the life of Jesus, His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection from the dead. The Apostles express their unique privilege of meeting the risen Lord, sharing meals with Him and experiencing His inspiring and reassuring presence. They are instructed by the risen Lord that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins and life eternal.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. Paul instructs the Christian community at Colossae and all of us that through our baptism, we share in the death and resurrection of Christ. Hence, we are to set our minds on heavenly things and not on earthly things. Then we will certainly share in the glory of the risen Lord.
The empty tomb and the Easter proclamation Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. A detailed and inspiring account of the happenings on Easter Sunday morning is narrated. The first visitor to the tomb of Jesus is Mary Magdalene, who finds that the tomb of Jesus is empty. She thinks that Jesus' body is taken away by someone. She hurriedly goes and reports the strange matter to the Apostles. Peter and John immediately go to the tomb and find it empty. The truth of what the Sacred Scriptures foretold gradually dawns upon them that Jesus would rise from the dead. The empty tomb by itself is not a proof of the resurrection of Jesus. But rather, it is an indication that Jesus is not to be found among the dead. In our case too, although we have the testimony of the Apostles and others that Jesus is indeed risen from the dead and He appeared to them on various occasions, we too need to be strengthened in our faith through a personal and deep experience of the risen Lord in our lives. In this context C. W. Hall says: "The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a prison but a passage into God's presence. Easter says you can put truth in a grave but it won't stay there." S. Morris says: "The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it does not contain." C. Wesley says: "Christ the Lord is risen today. Sons of men and angels say, Raise your joys and triumph high, Sing ye heavens and earth reply." May the risen Lord who underwent passion and death on the cross and has risen from the dead bless you abundantly with His love and peace. Amen. HAPPY EASTER!
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, April 20, 2025. Thanks.)
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