Feast of the Resurrection
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
Our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Sunday. As news came to His beloved disciples and friends their weeping and mourning was turned into joy and gladness. On Friday Pilate handed Him over to be crucified, He was scourged, spit on, beaten and mocked. He was hung naked and wounded on the cross and on Friday, He died.
But that was Friday, and now it is Sunday.
On Friday there was anxiety, loss of hope, tears and sadness. On Sunday there was peace, freedom from sin, joy and gladness.
On Friday there was doubt. On Sunday a strong and courageous faith.
Some forsook Him and fled on Friday but on Sunday they wanted to cling to Him.
On Friday He couldn’t be recognized because of the thorns, blood and severe wounds all over Him. On Sunday He couldn’t be recognized because of the supreme glory of His Resurrection.
On Friday He was sentenced to death. On Sunday He trampled death.
On Friday the cross was too heavy to carry. On Sunday He carries the sins of the whole world.
He was crucified on Friday. On Sunday He rose from the dead.
What about you? It’s Friday, there are problems, anxieties, suffering and trouble. But it is only Friday, Sunday is coming. If we suffer with Him, we will also be glorified with Him.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18)
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
In this most glorious and joyous period of the Resurrection, let us reflect on the words of Christ: “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” (John 16:22)
It is comforting to hear Christ acknowledge and sympathize with us about the sorrow we experience here throughout our lives. This sorrow comes from troubles in our personal lives, relationships, career, health and so on. We easily recognize it because of the grief we feel as well as the daunting realization that we cannot change the situation using our own power or resources. This fact does not shake those who have surrendered their lives to the Risen Christ.
Christ says: “I will see you again”. A child in school may have a rough day, being treated unfairly by friends, but he is encouraged because he will be in his dad’s arms at the end of the day. He will see his dad again and his heart will rejoice. We can see our Lord Jesus now in every suffering we experience. Our Lord Jesus Christ promises, “I am with you always” (Mat 28:20)
Our hearts will rejoice when we stay in the presence of God. During the period of the Resurrection we are encouraged to practice staying in His presence through meditating on the Bible, reciting Psalms, the Jesus Prayer, spiritual reading and singing hymns. In His presence we are joyful. If we see ourselves, look at the weakness of our nature and the unfair circumstances around us, “you now have sorrow”.
No one can take our joy from us. Listen to St. Paul: For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38-39) While it is true that now we have sorrow, it is also true that we can be joyful amidst that sorrow when we see Christ.
Look for Christ in your neighbour and love them as yourself; look for Christ to ask Him for forgiveness; look for Christ on the Altar and partake of His Body and Blood; look for Christ in your heart and seek Him first and foremost; look for Christ so that your joy may be full.
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