Easter Homily 2020

In both the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed we profess that Jesus suffered, died, was buried, descended into hell, and after three days rose from the dead. Have you ever wondered why Jesus descended into hell?

In an ancient Holy Saturday homily, the preacher described what happened. Jesus, who in the flesh was asleep, descended into the depths of hell “bearing the cross, the weapon of victory.” He went there to search for Adam and Eve in order to free them from the sorrow of their captivity. When he found them, he grasped them by the hand and raised them up. As he did so he proclaimed:

Awake O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.

I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image.

Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.

First and foremost, Easter is about resurrection. Today we celebrate Christ’s own resurrection from the dead. On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb, the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty. Peter and John, likewise, ran to the tomb. Peter looked in and saw the burial clothes lying there. John went in, saw and believed.

On Good Friday, Fr. Luis told us that at the crucifixion and death of Jesus, it seemed that death, darkness, and evil had triumphed. But nothing could be farther than the truth. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the sure and certain proof that Christ is the ultimate victor. In the end life, light and goodness triumphed. That is why today we sing with joy our Alleluias.

Jesus victory over sin and death was not a personal or individual victory. Jesus’ resurrection is a victory for all of us. His resurrection from the dead is also OUR resurrection from the dead.

Recall the words of our ancient homilist:

Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.

When Jesus descended into hell, he did so to raise up all who died before him from the very beginning, starting with Adam and Eve. Jesus wanted to offer every human being the opportunity to receive new life. One of the antiphons of Holy Saturday’s morning prayer states: “I was dead, but now I live forever, and I hold the keys of death and of hell.”

The truth is that God’s greatest desire is that hell be empty of souls. God’s desire is that all of creation be saved through the blood of Christ, through His willingness to lay down His life out of pure love for all of humanity.

In chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, Jesus proclaimed:

This is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.”

But there is something else that must be said. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just about new life after physical death. The resurrection of Jesus is about experiencing new life, risen life, here and now. It not reserved for some future time when we have passed into the heavenly realms. We are to benefit from His resurrection now, in this life, at this time.

What do I mean exactly? To live as brothers and sisters of the risen Christ means to live as people already redeemed and raised up by Christ’s sacrificial love. It means that we allow the Risen One to dwell in us. It means to think like He thinks, to act like as He acts, and most especially to love as He loves.

I have a framed quote in my bedroom that states: “The proof that God raised Jesus from the dead is not the empty tomb but the full hearts of his transformed disciples. The crowning evidence that he lives is not a vacant grave, but a spirit filled fellowship, not a rolled away stone, but a carried away church.”

Do we live life each day with full hearts? Are we spirit filled? Are we a carried away church? Are we a church that is fully alive? Are we the risen body of Christ? Do we love as Christ loves? Are we willing to lay down our lives for others?

Here I can’t help but think of all the people, throughout the world, who are on the front lines of fighting the Covid 19 virus, especially medical personnel and first responders. Whether their motivation is to be Christ for others or simply an altruistic desire to care for fellow human beings, they are laying down their lives for others and are the presence of the Risen One. We praise God for them, thank them, and pray for their protection each day.

During these days of Covid 19, where fear, anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty abound, we should be fully alive and eager to share with one another our Easter faith. Despite the dark days ahead we should be filled with the joy of Easter. Christ has conquered sin and death. He is the victor. He is the light in the darkness and He shows us how to live as risen members of His Body. We are to live as children of the light and shine our light on those who live in darkness and we love with a love that transforms and gives life.

I’d like to conclude with a brief reflection on the First Easter sent to me just last night. Unfortunately, I do not know who wrote it, so I can’t give them credit.

The very first Easter was not in a crowded worship space with singing and praising. On the very first Easter the disciples were locked in their house. It was dangerous for them to come out. They were afraid. They wanted to believe the good news they heard from the women, that Jesus had risen. But it seemed too good to be true. They were living a time of such despair and such fear. If they left their homes, their lives and the lives of their loved ones might be at risk. Could a miracle really have happened? Could life really have won out over death? Could this time of terror and fear really be coming to an end?

Alone in their homes they dared to believe that hope was possible, that the long night was over and morning had broken, that God's love was the most powerful of all, even though it didn't seem quite real yet. Eventually, they were able to leave their homes, when the fear and danger had subsided, they went around celebrating and spreading the good news that Jesus was risen and love was the most powerful force on the earth.

This year, we might get to experience a taste of what that first Easter was like, still in our homes daring to believe that hope is on the horizon. Then, after a while, when it is safe for all people, when it is the most loving choice, we will come out, gathering together, singing and shouting the good news that God brings life even out of death, that love always has the final say!

This year, we might get the closest taste we have had yet to what that first Easter was like.