THE EVIDENCE OF GRACE
(Fr. Michael’s Homily)
Yes, Christ Is Truly Risen. Halleluiah!
In the Resurrection of Christ, a new possibility of human existence is attained- a sort of ‘evolutionary leap’-that stretches into the past and look forward to a future, a new kind of future for all mankind. A future with hope and certainties guaranteed by God’s promise. The resurrection completes the inauguration of God’s kingdom. It is the decisive event demonstrating that God’s kingdom really has been launched on earth as it is in heaven. The message of Easter is that God’s new world has been unveiled in Jesus Christ and that you’re now invited to belong to it. Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, states a few days ago: “The pandemic of Coronavirus has abruptly roused us from the greatest danger individuals and humanity have always been susceptible to the delusion of omnipotence. It took merely the smallest and most formless element of nature, a virus, to remind us that we are mortal, that military power and technology are not sufficient to save us.” The resurrection is God’s eternal and irrevocable yes to us in our prayers, a yes that opens door to eternity; a yes that restores to health; a yes that empowers us to overcome every sin and addiction and yes to become heralds of his life-giving kingdom. Yes, to the scriptures. Yes, to the sacraments. Yes, to the teaching office of the Church. Yes, to one another in love. Yes, to forgiveness. Yes, to faith and hope. We who celebrate the Easter feast, the festival of light could confidently say in return: Yes, and Amen, Christ is truly risen indeed: Halleluiah. The resounding Alleluia from eternity to eternity, alleluia that is unbent and unbroken. Yes, Christ is truly Risen. Halleluiah. This is the new universal Easter exodus. God has come “with powerful arm and outstretched hand” to liberate his people from a much harsher and universal slavery than that of Egypt. This day brings a message of joy: it is the day of the Lord’s resurrection when, with himself, Christ raised up the race of Adam. Born for the sake of human beings, he rose from the dead with them. On this day, the Alleluia that pleads more insistently than the cry of Abel is heard, and justice is restored. On this day paradise is opened by the risen one, Adam is restored to life and Eve is consoled. On this day the divine call is heard, the kingdom is prepared, we are saved, and Christ is adored. In this unprecedented time of the Covid-19 pandemic, and as dark and dreadful as death can be; the light and life brought by the resurrection of Christ are greater. After three days I will rise”, Jesus had foretold (cf. Mt 9:31). We too, after these days that we hope will be short, shall rise and come out of the tombs our homes have become. Not however to return to the former life like Lazarus, but to a new life, like Jesus. A more fraternal, more human, more Christian life! Christ is risen! He has risen indeed! Happy Easter to you all!!!