Homily: April 20, 2024, Easter Sunday (Witnesses)

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 “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.”

In many classic films, the story ends with the stylish title flashing on the screen: “The End.”

On that special Friday, the Pharisees and chief priests thought their script had come to a perfect ending. They had planned it thoroughly and executed it ruthlessly. With the help of Herod, Pilate, the soldiers, and the shouting crowds, Jesus had been put to death.

The stone was rolled in place. The tomb was sealed. The disciples were scattered. To them, it was over. They believed the story of Jesus had reached ‘The End’.

It looked like the end, even for those who loved Jesus. Mary Magdalene had on the third day prepared spices to anoint Jesus’ body, a traditional burial practice for the dead. Little did she realize that what had ended was not the whole story, but just one episode. The next exciting episode had just begun.

The stone had been miraculously rolled away. The tomb was empty. Jesus is not dead anymore. He has risen. He is alive.

The Birth of Jesus is the beginning of His story with us. The Resurrection of Jesus is the beginning of our story with Him. It is the foundation of our faith.

We believe not simply because of an empty tomb. We believe because of those who saw Him, spoke with Him, walked with Him after the Resurrection. Those whose lives were changed from fearful to fearless. Those who, despite fierce persecution and torturous deaths, could not be silenced. They had to keep repeating and proclaiming the truth of the Resurrection.

They were the witnesses.

St. Peter tells us in today’s first reading: “[God] granted that he be visible—not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance…”

We believe because of the witnesses.

Jesus didn’t appear to Pilate, or to Herod, or to the high priests. He appeared to those who loved Him. He appeared to those who followed Him, those who were ready to spread the news, to share His message.

Today, and every day, at every Holy Mass, Jesus comes to us too. He gives us His precious Body and Blood because we are those whom He loves, we are those who profess to believe Him, follow Him and obey Him. We are those who have encountered Him in our lives. We are His chosen witnesses.

Are we ready to spread His good news, to share His message of love?

How?

St. Peter gives us the answer: “He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” 

Are we willing to go about doing good in Jesus’ name?

Today, we celebrate Easter, the joy of the Resurrection, the great hope of our rising with Christ.

The tomb is empty. Death has been defeated.

Let us all go out and celebrate. Let us go out and show the world that if we die with Christ, we will all rise with Him.

That is the good news which we will proclaim to the ends of the earth. 

Amen. 

Alleluia.


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