Word to the Wise
Sunday, April 4, 2021 - Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord; The Mass of Easter Day - ABC
[Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; John 20:1-9 or Luke 24:13-35 (for afternoon Masses),59]"This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name." [Acts]
Imagine one's feelings when going to visit the grave of a loved one and finding it empty! Confusion? Anger? More grief? All of these are normal reactions and the disciples (especially the women who went first to the grave on the morning after Jesus' death) experienced them. These feelings would be replaced by fear and awe and then joy when Jesus appeared in person and ate with them! He is risen!!!
The survival of Christianity has depended on this simple fact - He is risen! And we share this experience of the Risen Lord each time we gather on Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist. We proclaim it in the "Memorial Acclamation" after the consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. In this, we join the millions of witnesses over 2,000 years in eating and drinking with him after his resurrection. To simply say, "Happy Easter!" doesn't really express this. "He is risen! Alleluia!" are the words that have made possible the 2,000 years of faith.
Many new faces will join us in this experience at the Easter Vigil because they have heard the word from us and want to bear witness with us to the truth of Christ's resurrection. Can we say first, "He is risen! Alleluia!" and then say "Happy Easter?" Those last two words will disappear with the dyed eggs and chocolate bunnies, but the words, "He is risen! Alleluia!" will continue to echo as long as we are faithful witnesses. HE IS RISEN! ALLELUIA! AMEN.
[To all my Beloved Congregation, I wish Easter joy and blessings and my gratitude for your faithful witness!]