Easter Sunday Homily

Last updated on: March 25, 2016 at 3:59 pm by Father Pablo Migone

Easter Sunday Homily 2016-03-25T15:59:29-05:00 Father Pablo Migone

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What would have happened if when Mary Magdalene and the disciples arrived at the tomb, they found the stone still blocking the entrance to the tomb and the body of Jesus still lying there, dead?

Nothing. Nothing would have happened. Life would have continued as normal in Jerusalem. Another great prophet in the line of great Jewish prophets would have been mourned. Another great teacher would have been added to the list of great wise men of history.

What would have happened if when Mary Magdalene and the disciples arrived at the tomb, they found Jesus alive, but simply revived, without a glorified body that could go through locked doors, travel great distances quickly and still eat fish and bread?

They would have been amazed, of course: as amazed as those who witnessed the raising of Lazarus from the dead. As amazed as I am when I hear someone tell me they were revived at the hospital with electric shocks. In the end however, nothing would have happened. Nothing would have happened because if Jesus had just been revived, he would have eventually died like all the great prophets of Israel.

I ask these questions to stress two essential aspects of our Christian faith which we celebrate today, Easter Sunday:

1. Our faith hinges on the resurrection.

Saint Paul tells us that “if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith, and our faith either stands or falls on it. Had Jesus not risen from the dead, we would not be here today. Had Jesus not risen from the dead, there would be no Church; there would be no Gospel to preach.

The resurrection of Christ assures us that he is a worthy witness. The resurrection of Christ assures us that what he taught is true.

I believe we hear “Jesus rose from the dead” so often we lose sight of what a great event this is. People do not normally come back to life after being dead for three days. The resurrection is Jesus saying to us, “those who have ears ought to hear.”

2. Jesus’ resurrected body is not a revived body, but a glorified body. It’s his old body transformed that dies no more.

Jesus promises us the baptized who live in communion with him, receiving his body and blood and loving God and neighbor, will also be raised from the dead and inherit eternal life. We will not simply be revived at the end of times, but will rise from the dead with a glorified body and live forever in the presence of God.

We will not turn into little angels with halos and wings. We will not simply get this same old body back with its aches and illnesses. We will get our own bodies back, but they will be transformed.

Through the waters of baptism we have become heirs to the promise of Christ, the greatest promise ever made: eternal life. At baptism we die with Him on the cross and rise with him in glory from the tomb.

Today we celebrate and affirm our faith in the resurrection and eternal life. May God increase our faith and desire for Him today. Happy Easter.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 23, 2011

Christ is Risen from the Dead, Alleluia!

Next Post

April 26, 2011 Twenty Years Today

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Article Catholic Lima Christmas Commentary History Homily Immigration martyrs Meditation Pope Reflection Saint Story Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 January 2010 June 2009 September 2008 August 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How long did Israel wander in the wilderness after leaving Egypt?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Seventy years Forty years Five years Ten years