First Sunday of Easter
(Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Col 3:1-4; Luke 24:1-12)
Today we celebrate the culmination of our faith. Christ has
conquered death to reign in glory forever. With his victory, we too hope to
overcome death. In the First Letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul describes
death as “the last enemy.” It is seen as “the last” in two senses. It is the
only remaining opponent and the most potent. Before looking at the Mass
readings, we should examine why death provides such a great challenge.
All things being equal, no one wants to die. It is true that
some, because they are in pain, would prefer their lives to end. But we are
made not only to exist but to flourish. The fact that we cannot remain forever
in this world seems like an affront to us. We look for a way to avoid death.
Some focus on living healthily by exercising and eating only the appropriate
portions of recommended foods. If this regimen seems harsh, one can simply
avoid the thought of death. Many today direct their relatives to organize
"celebrations of life" instead of funerals when they die. Until then,
they live eating and drinking like the Epicureans of ancient times.
Besides fearing the return to nonexistence, we Christians
worry about death for another reason. We wonder about God's judgment of us upon
our passing. Will He find us just? All of us have sinned, perhaps grievously.
Will we spend eternity mourning our trespasses? The women who visit Jesus' tomb
can help us overcome these anxieties.
The women have followed Jesus from Galilee. They have
supported his ministry with both resources and presence. On Friday, they saw
Jesus die on the cross. They also noticed the place where he was buried. At the
moment, there was no time to embalm his body without transgressing the Sabbath
law. But as soon as possible on the first day of the week, they come to the
tomb with spices. There they find the unexpected. Not only has the stone that
closed the tomb been removed, but also Jesus' body is missing. When the angel
announces to them that Jesus has risen, the women believe. Their first impulse
is to tell the eleven apostles the good news.
The women show us how to live as followers of Jesus Christ.
Like them, we must abide by the moral law, even the precepts that do not suit
us. More than this, we must render service with works of charity. As Mother
Teresa said, the poor are Christ in disguise. We must also accept the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus in faith. Although it may seem foolish to some,
eyewitnesses gave their lives offering testimony to it. Finally, we must share
our faith in Jesus with others. Living this way, we need not fear death or
judgment afterward.
The first reading comes from a sermon by Saint Peter. It
indicates the dynamic that brought about Jesus' resurrection. God anointed him
with His Spirit to heal all those oppressed by the devil. When Jesus was
crucified, God acted again. He sent the same Holy Spirit to raise him from the
dead. This Spirit will resurrect all of us who follow Jesus Christ in faith and
love.
To ensure that we do not stray from Jesus Christ, we have
the advice of the second reading. It urges us not to cling to the things of the
earth: pleasure, money, fame, and power. Rather, to seek the goods of heaven:
love, joy, and peace. By acting in this way, we will manifest the glory of the
risen Jesus. In our present life and in
eternity, we will manifest the glory of the resurrection.
