EASTER SUNDAY: HOMILY BY FR. ISAAC CHIMA
Theme: They thought they have conquered Him, but God disappointed them
Readings: Acts: 10:34a.37–43; Col 3:1–4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1–9
Dear friends, we have arrived at that day that defined our faith. The day that gave birth to the gospel we proclaim. If Christ had not risen from the dead, our faith would have been in vain. In fact, we would not have been here under this banner; there wouldn’t have been any Christianity. The resurrection of Christ is at the centre of our faith, it is the beginning of our faith. The resurrection narrative was always the beginning of every homily in the life of the early Christians, it was their reference point, it gave them authority and power.
Dear friends, we are lucky to be beneficiaries of this absolute power of God over the power of darkness and death. We are blessed to be associated with the resurrection power of Christ, the power that conquered the evil forces that wanted to rule the world, the power that shattered the stone that was used to cover the tomb, the power that defeated the dominion of the devil, the power that fulfilled the plan of God’s redemption of humanity from the failure of our first parents.
Today, light has conquered darkness, life has conquered death, grace has conquered sin, freedom has prevailed over slavery, justice has returned to the seat of judgement, Jesus has won the battle for us. Our hearts should be jubilating over this victory. Once more, we can smile, laugh and dance, because God did not allow death to have the last laugh in the history of our salvation. We can stand with our heads raised high because we are children of victory. Jesus has given us victory. Let us raise this banner of victory high in everything we do and say.
At the center of the victory of Christ’s resurrection is a saying that has a lesson for us. It goes this way: ‘it was at that time when his enemies thought that they have conquered Him that God in his infinite power raised Him to the heights.’
Dear friends, Jesus came into the world with the mission to set us free from the dominion of the devil and to return to God the Father. But the devil wanted to halt that mission, he wanted to keep us his slaves forever. To achieve his plan of thwarting the mission of Christ, the devil instigated the men of authority and they killed Jesus. With His shameful death on the cross, His burial, the heavy stone that was used to cover the mouth of the tomb and the heavily armed guards at the grave, the enemy thought he has conquered the Prince of life and have put an end to his mission.
However, it was at that time when the devil and his cohorts were rejoicing, that God, in his infinite power, disappointed them by raising Jesus from the dead. It was at that point when they thought that they have conquered him that they actually hastened the realization of his mission on earth, which was to die for us and to return to the father.
What does this tell us? It tells us not to lose hope whenever we feel we have been conquered by the difficulties and realities of life. It tells us that there will always be a joyful development in the sorrowful stories of those who believe in God. It tells us that failure will not be the end of the story for those who believe in God. It tells us that God is capable of disappointing our enemies in their evil plans against us. It tells me not to give up when I have been hit down by the problems of the world. The power of the resurrection of Christ gives me this assurance, it is my guarantee of ultimate victory in life. Remember, it was at that time when they thought they have conquered Jesus that God disappointed them by raising Him from the dead.
The challenge for us is to open our eyes of faith and look beyond the source of our sorrows. In the extension of the gospel reading of today, Mary Magdalene focused her entire attention on the grave. Hence, she was unable to recognize the risen Christ. She was at the grave sweeping, asking God to give her back her Lord and consoler, asking God to bring Jesus back to life. But then, when the answer to her prayer stood before her, she couldn’t recognize him, because she was soaked in her sorrows.
Dear friends, it is not wrong to cry when we have been hit down by problems or when we have been disappointed, but it would be wrong if we become absorbed in our sorrows to the point that we fail to look up to God. Most times, when we become absorbed in our sorrows and keep focusing on the closed door (the empty tomb in the case of Magdalene), we will not notice that God has opened another door — a better door — for us. Through the power of Christ’s resurrection, God opens an alternative door, a better door to those who focus on Him with faith during turbulent times. May the power of Christ’s resurrection open our eyes to see the solution God has given to us in our problems. Amen
Happy Easter
Fr Isaac Chima