The joy of the Resurrection
Readings: 1st: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Ps: 16; Gos Mt 28:8-15
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.
Today’s Gospel describes the experience of the Resurrection which the disciples of Jesus had. Through this, Mathew communicates, and increases the certainty of our faith. This is because, he proclaims that Jesus is risen, and that he will be with us always, until the end of time!
Today’s reading speaks of the mixed feelings of fear and joy, and the different stories surrounding the empty tomb. Also, it describes the events of the meeting of the resurrected Christ with some of his disciples.
One important lesson from today’s gospel is that, the enemy will never stop fighting. They tried all they could to cover the truth. They even gave bribe to the soldiers to change the story in order to cover the truth. Of course, they did not succeed. That is why we are here today rejoicing, because, eventually the good news reached us.
So, while the guards brought the bad news that the body of Jesus was stolen, the women brought the good news of their transforming encounter with the resurrected Christ. In the end, it is the only news that matters wins. And that is, that God has raised Jesus from the dead, and no one could cover the truth.
Why did the resurrection not transform everything rapidly, and immediately? This is because, God works silently and patiently with us. We are being prepared for eternal life with God, and that is not the work of a moment, but of a lifetime.
The joy of the Resurrection helps us to overcome every fear in our life. It increases our faith, and urges us to move on in life more confident and determined to overcome the trials and difficulties of life.
May the risen Lord fill us with confidence and joy, so that, we may be his true witness, and agent of hope and encouragement to all who live in despair and fear.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Peace be with you all!
Maranatha!
frcanicenjoku 
Thank you for this week day homilies. I go through it every day and it is helping me a lot to say something about gospel during Mass. Again, it would help me if you could send one day earlier, since I am in New Zealand. With you happy Easter. Kind reagards. Fr JobSent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
Happy Easter dear Fr. Job,
Thanks for the compliments. Yes, I understand your concern. My elder brother lives in Hamilton, NZ and works with the City council there. So, Yes, the problem is the great difference (almost 24 hrs) in our time zones. I will try and see what I do about it. Its just that I have much in my hands, and by the time I sit down to do my reflection and publish, it might be a bit late for those of you in a time zone widely different from mine here in Puerto Rico. However, I will see what I can do about it.
Peace be with you. Pray for me and all of us here, we have gone through a lot, from one crisis to the other. Yet we are not giving up.
Peace be with you.
Fr. Canice