Easter Sunday – A
Gospel: John 20: 1 – 9 – The Resurrection
The Homily
Every time I go home, (now for several years), before I do anything and sometimes even before I enter the house, I always first make a visit to my father’s tomb. Unlike in America, in Uganda, we have family cemeteries where all family members are buried. The cemeteries are often near to the house like in case of my family—just few yards away.
I had never given it much thought why I do it till now when I was reflecting on John’s gospel reading for today. Mary Magdalena comes to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been rested. We may ask ourselves why? Did she and the disciples do this every morning? It appears to have been a common custom of Jewish people especially during the first three days after burial of a loved one believing that the soul would be hovering over the body.
During his public ministry, Jesus had hinted on the reality that he would rise again. But the disciples nor Mary Magdalena were preoccupied with this idea because they didn’t understand fully that Jesus was foretelling his resurrection. Mary makes an early morning trip to the tomb because it represented something special—some very special relationship with the person whose body lay in that tomb. It was her Lord, her master, her beloved friend. There was some form of attachment—a bonding that can only be explained by Mary Magdalena and the disciples. It was the same love that kept her at the cross with Jesus.
In some way, now I can grasp why I make visits to my father’s tomb every time I go home. That tomb represents something special – the love of a father—a father dearly missed and whose memories the son cherishes so much. There are many times I wish my father was around to share special moments of my life. Probably, the disciples had similar wishes—they had grown close to Jesus over the three years they spent with him in ministry.
I can imagine how the disciples felt after the brutal death and sudden departure of their Lord, their leader. It must have been total confusion and despair just like it was for me and my family in those moments thirteen years ago or any one of us who have lost a loved one. We can imagine how they felt guilty for having abandoned Jesus during the difficult moments of his life. Can you recall a moment that makes you feel so embarrassed and remorseful like Peter who had denied Jesus three times? I have also thought of times I was not so nice to my father. But by the time I matured to realize he was right and whatever he did was for my good, it was too late. However, his love just like Jesus’ love for his disciples did not depend on my disposition but his total unselfish giving of a father’s heart.
So, they (Mary and the disciples) kept coming back to the tomb of Jesus because of the strong memories of all the wonderful moments they spent with him and all the great deeds he performed on the different journeys during his ministry with them. They recall the ‘goodies’ of the last supper, the raising of Lazarus, the healing of lepers, the healing of the blind and many others, and the forgiveness of sins for many—and all the joy these wondrous deeds brought to the people.
They keep coming back so drawn to him not only because of what he would do when he rises from the dead or when he comes back again, but it has to do with what he did during his earthly ministry. The disciples are dwelling on cherished memories of their encounters with Jesus, from their initial call to his eventual death at Calvary.
Mary Magdalena panics when she finds the tomb empty and the body is gone. “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” Peter and the beloved disciple ran to the tomb as well to testify to this disturbing news. They were confused. They didn’t know what happened. “For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead,” says John.
It was not until their eyes were opened that they realized and believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. Then they were overjoyed and now they could fully understand what Jesus had alluded to several times, like when he challenged the Pharisees that he would rebuild the temple in three days. Later on in the gospel account as we will see in the next few Sundays, the risen Lord makes several appearances to the disciples and reassures them of his constant presence through the Holy Spirit. It must have been a great joy to have their Lord back with them.
The Easter joy that Jesus unveils for us today fills our hearts and makes us rejoicing in his saving power. However, we have to examine our lives and see how we are spreading this joy to those around us. Does it radiate through all we do, all we say, and in all ways we treat others? Do we bring joy to those who are suffering, those who are struggling due to economic difficulties, those who are sick needing our compassion and care, those who are troubled spiritually and need a hopeful word?
It is the way we treat people that makes them cherish the memories of their encounters with us. It is those things we do for our children, the way we love them as parents, the way we treat others as elders, as spouses, as co-workers, as pastors or as friends that they will remember most when we have passed on—not the promises we made, not the imaginations of a glorious life we will share in the life after.
Yes, Christ promised a new life, an everlasting life for those who believe so that even if they die, they shall live and have eternal life—but he did not simply make promises for a better grandiose life after here, although he could not alleviate all sufferings and ills in society, he brought joy in their lives, he cured those who were sick, he opened the eyes of the blind, he fed the hungry, he forgave sinners, and consoled the grieving.
That is what Christian life is all about. It is about loving God and that love is expressed in the selfless love we have for those around us. When we love, be of service to God’s people, and treat others with dignity, the joy of the resurrected Lord radiates in our lives— in ways we live and reach out to others in need – to bring them to Christ and contribute to the joys of this life here on earth. In doing so, we are then able to prepare ourselves for the life after which Jesus promises and reassures us in his resurrection this Easter Sunday.
The disciples and Christians of the early church are a great example for us. When Jesus was no longer with them, they carried on his great works and they leaned on each other’s shoulder. We see later on in the next chapters of John how the disciples band together in the upper room and then in Acts of the Apostles strong communities are formed and they take care of each other, especially meeting the needs of the poor, the orphans, and widows. It is from these needs of the community that the ministry of diaconate arose, men of worthy character were selected to reach out to those in need in the community. All this was inspired by the Lord whose works and compassionate care was vivid in their memories.
Just like the disciples made visits to tomb of their beloved Lord, many of us have the same tradition of visiting (where possible) the tombs of our loved ones. We are drawn to them not because we are ‘worshiping’ the dead, but because of the memories of the lives they shared with us that we hold so dear and honor long after they are gone. These memories are a result of the good things they did for us, the love, care and concern they showed us during their life time. And this is how we remember Jesus today—his saving deed—his passion, death, and resurrection that paved way for our salvation. This culminates in the Eucharist where he even himself instructs to “do this in memory of me”—in memory of his saving act, the paschal mystery. And in partaking in that Eucharistic banquet we become one with him and build up the unity of the Church as the body of Christ. It is also a foreshadowing of that heavenly banquet which we shall enjoy in the eternal life made possible by the mystery of his resurrection.
Our challenge today and this Easter season as we celebrate the mystery of our Lord’s resurrection and the joys it brings, is to ask ourselves what memories we will leave behind with loved ones. Are they memories of pain or are they memories of joy? How have we nurtured our relationship with Christ? We may feel guilt like the disciples or especially like Peter for abandoning the Church (Christ), but we can be assured Christ is always ready to welcome us back. When we wake up, we can try to challenge ourselves to find opportunities to be Christ to those around you—starting at home, at work, at school, or even on the bus or train. You may also consider one of these days to make a quick stop at the tomb of a loved one to honor their love, the good memories and say a prayer for them and ask them to pray for you as well.
© John Mary Lugemwa, OSB