Easter Vigil at the Franciscan parish of St Mary’s of the Angels was beautiful and moving. It happily expressed the resurrection of Jesus Christians looked forward to throughout Lent.When the liturgy ended past midnight, some of us huddled in the midnight cool at the bus stop. We waited in anxious anticipation for a bus. The schedules posted weren’t promising. There was whispered concern: “Will there be a last bus home?”
Then, a bus came. Its bright lights found our hope filled faces. We trooped up the bus secure in the ride home. “Ah, you see,” an elderly lady said, “this is Easter joy too!”
Her remark is instructive: it offers me an insight to how I can live my life better in the light of Easter joy.
My everyday life is sometimes filled with anxiety that the bothered and disappointed disciples must have also faced when Jesus died. Like them, I find myself worrying about the future. When I cannot see the road ahead clearly, the future looks desolate and bleak. At such times, I seek certainty: I want to know that what I believe in or hope for is possible and there. And where death is concerned, I’d like to believe that God is compassionate and heaven is real, especially when I recognize my sinfulness.
But my faith experience of God reminds me I can hope. My past speaks this truth: his bounty and grace abounds in my life, as it comforts. Yes, I can believe in God’s continuing presence.
The Resurrection story proclaims this. The Risen Jesus came to his friends when they were unsure and troubled. When he drew near Mary Magdalene in her pained doubt, he called her by name. When he met a grieving Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus, he comforted them with his teachings. And when he came amidst the frightened apostles, he blessed them with his peace. To each one of them, he was now more than friend; he was Lord and Saviour. For each of them, his continuing friendship assured, as it uplifted and transformed.
And, isn’t this the message of Easter for each one of us: Jesus has risen from the dead, to break sin’s stronghold over humankind because he loves each one of us as friend? Indeed, his love is the love of God in whose eyes we are each worth saving from death and redeemed for eternal life.
The Gospel readings this Easter Octave will focus our gaze on the Risen Jesus who comes into the midst of his friends. They invite us to appreciate more deeply and with greater certitude how Jesus is indeed God-with-us amidst our daily struggle with apprehension and disquiet, our tussle with an uncertain future and our inescapable death. If we can proclaim the joyful Easter truth that Jesus’ death and resurrection is the fullness of Love revealed to and bestowed upon us, then, how truly blessed we are now to have this hope to remember, celebrate and believe!
Happy Easter!
artwork: christ risen from the tomb by bergognone, c1490
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