Christ has Risen: Alleluia!

Readings: 1st: Acts 10: 34. 37-43; Ps 117: 1-2. 16-23; 2nd: Col 3:1-4; Gos Jn 20: 1-9

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico. He is the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canóvanas, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He was the chancellor of the Diocese of Fajardo Humacao, Puerto Rico. Fr. Canice is a member of the Academy of Homiletics. For more details and comments contact him at: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com

(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)

Christ the Lord has risen today! Alleluia! Christians haste you vows to pay Alleluia! A couple of weeks ago, we started what looked like a hopeless and endless journey. Today we have come to the end of that journey. Today is the greatest of all Sundays in the Christian calendar because of the newness of life that it brings. Today a new epoch has ultimately begun. This is because the historical Jesus, who suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried, has now been glorified.

The short story is that Christ has risen in fulfillment of his promise: “I will rise on the third day.” The battle is over. There is no controversy because Jesus is Lord! Today, we celebrate the triumph of good over evil, of light over darkness, and peace over chaos. We celebrate hope, patience, and the fulfillment of God’s Promise to his people. We also celebrate the uniqueness of our religion, the resurrection of our Lord. Through his resurrection, Jesus affirms that he is the Lord of the living and the dead.

We must ask ourselves this Easter Sunday: Did I resurrect with Christ this Easter? Today’s gospel tells us that Jesus left the linen cloths in the grave. In order words, he did not cling to any “worldly” thing or allowed them to pull him down. If we must rise with Christ, we must equally be ready to detach ourselves from unnecessary items that pull us down spiritually. Through our Lenten observances, we died with Christ. So let us rise with him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Like Paul, today our song should be that of thanksgiving to God: “We bless God the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ who in his great mercy has given us a new birth by raising Jesus Christ from the dead”. This is because Christ’s death was our death, and his resurrection is ours too. Therefore, his joy, glory, and triumph are equally ours.

As Christ’s disciples, our testimony from today shall be: “I saw Christ’s glory as he rose. Christ, my hope has risen! Like the apostles, our duty is to spread the good news of the Lord’s resurrection to the entire world. Like Peter in today’s first reading, we must say to all people: “Now we are those witnesses. We eat and drink with Him after his resurrection.”

Having been raised with Christ, we must act like the living and not the dead. We must seek the things of light, things that are noble, and things that glorify God. We must seek heavenly things by living like citizens of heaven rather than “earthbound spirits.” This is what Paul calls us to do today when he says: “Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.”

In order words, we must live the type of life worthy of one who has risen and reigns with Christ. Let us, therefore, sing with the Psalmist on this glorious day of Easter: “The Lord made this day; we rejoice and are glad.” Alleluia!

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!