¡Do not be afraid, Go and tell my brothers, He has Risen

Lectura: 1^ra: Ge 1:1-31. 2, 1-2; Sal: 115; 2^da: Rom 6: 3-11; Ev: Mt 28: 1-10

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Sometimes, we associate the night with evil. But our first reading today tells us that God created everything good” (GE 1:31). This night, is the most important and jubilant night for all of us.

It is unique among the other nights, because it is a night of victory and liberation. The simplest way to summarize tonight’s event is to reflect deeply on these words of the Exultet we heard today

This is the night when the column of fire destroyed the darkness of sin. This is the night when Christians everywhere are cleansed of their sins, free from all impurities, are restored to grace and grow in holiness.

The first lesson for us today is that, the resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith. Without it, the death of Christ would have been in vain. and of no significance to us. So, this is the cause of our joy today.

The second lesson is that, the resurrection demonstrates the vindication of Christ. God reestablished him in heaven as the Lord of the universe. The resurrection validates the teaching and the ministry of Jesus, as well as, our faith in Christ.

There is another important lesson for us from today’s gospel. Matthew told us that the women left the tomb with joy. They went to take care of the dead, instead, they received a new mission to announce the good new to the living. Christ said to them: “go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There, they will see me.:

This encounter with the resurrected Christ changed their lives. Also, it gave them a new mission, and equally, prepared them for the mission: “Do not be afraid.”

This is the same mission that is giving to us today. Galilee can be in my family, in my community, in my office, in the poor, in the sick. It can be wherever someone needs to be encouraged, with a new hope. Today, the same resurrected Christ is renewing all things. This includes our lives and mission. So, let us go and tell others about him, and what God has done through him.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!