Something in Common - Homily Easter Sunday

(My first Easter reflections Easter 2015 - Repeat)

Facebook Live: Easter Sunday at SL

Alleluia This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia - Happy Easter.

It was still dark and they ran to the tomb - Mary, Peter, and the disciple Jesus loved. Peter was older and maybe a litter heavier so didn't get there first: but, he was the first to go in and found the tomb empty, the burial cloths rolled up. Then the other disciple went in: They saw and believed but they didn’t understand.

But the Gospel does not include the next verse.  “Then the disciples returned home.”

They just returned home. It doesn’t tell us what they believed, did they believe the body was stolen or that Jesus had risen?

This is the Gospel of John, the disciple Jesus loved. John saw and believed and then he writes, they did not understand. They just returned home.

The disciples loved Jesus. They followed him and hung on every word, every miracle, and teaching. Most of the time, they didn’t get it. They believed in him but they didn’t always understand him.

We have an advantage and something in common with the disciples.

The advantage, we don’t have to see to believe. We celebrate Easter Sunday because we do believe. We believe because we have the Gospel. We know what he experienced: celebrations, betrayal, abandonment, pain, suffering and death. We know the passion of Christ from Palm Sunday to His crucifixion on Good Friday.

We believe because we know what’s after the empty tomb. So today, Easter Sunday, we celebrate His resurrection.

Now, the part we have in common - so many don’t understand. This Sunday morning, Christians throughout the world will celebrate his resurrection then simply return home.

We believe, but, do we understand? Do we simply return home?

Returning home is not always a good thing. I’m not talking about the house of wood or brick but what is in our heart. The old saying home is where the heart is. Where is your heart?

I’m about to say ugly words about the heart - home; some are built with anger, prejudice, bias, and the self-centered aspects of human life.

We can all know those places - We find ourselves there sometimes.  It is that old yeast we are to get rid of according to St. Paul. It is found in those with lukewarm  faith. They believe but don’t understand. They’ve gone back home.

Those who say the Lord will never forgive them for what they have done. They believe but don’t understand. They’ve gone back home.

Those who say God spoke to them and everyone else is wrong. They believe but don’t understand. They’ve gone back home.

Those who say, God doesn’t love Muslims or Hindus or Buddhist or Atheist or Homosexuals or anyone who is different. They believe but don’t understand. They’ve gone back home.

People don’t understand, Jesus died for all of us and for all of our sins.

People don’t understand, His promise of eternal life is for all who believe. People don’t understand the tomb being empty means He is alive in the world, for all of us.

Christ is not distant and impersonal. Christ forgive all our sins and hears all our prayers.

We do believe but do we understand that Christ is with us and loves us no matter who our priest or preacher is; or, how we live our lives; or, what sins we have. 

How do we understand - know our faith. How do we understand - know Jesus. How do we understand - know His love.

Believe and understand, prepare your home:

Today and every day, Christ lives and He cares for us. Today and every day, Christ lives and He is close to us. Today and every day, Christ lives and He offers us a relationship real and personal. 

Pope Francis explains it in words I love, “Christ, the everlasting today of God.” My friends, this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.

Be good, be holy, and preach the Gospel that we believe. Amen