Here is the revised text as it was modified for the Easter morning Masses:
Love beyond the grave (the Easter morning edition)
The scripture readings we have heard today are pregnant with confident words about a promise that has been fulfilled. The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles is part of a speech that was spoken by Saint Peter when he met Cornelius, one of the centurions of the Italian cohort and his companions. Cornelius had previously had a vision in which an angel of God had confirmed his faith. He therefore wanted to hear more from the mouths of the apostles themselves. This was no ordinary tale. Saint Paul also spoke in the second reading today about his experience of hearing God’s call, and the ways in which it had already changed his life. The story told by Peter, and attested to by Paul is alive today in our midst, as alive as it ever was. This story speaks powerfully to the realities of life. When no earthly explanations will do, this story provides reassurance that God never leaves us alone, but accompanies us with deep abiding love. When there are strikes looming, when young people cannot find jobs, or when the person we love is taken away from us, Jesus is present to console and to encourage. His gospel speaks always of the promise of life, even in the face of physical death.
Today, we have heard the resurrection account; the story of women who went to the tomb early in the morning intending to complete the burial rituals begun late in the day on Good Friday, and of apostles who also went to the tomb. We heard of their disbelief when they discovered that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. Were they afraid that someone might have stolen Jesus’ body? How often does it happen that even for people of deep faith and prayer, there are situations in our lives that leave us wondering whether the promise spoken of in today’s gospel could really be true?
If we want to understand the miracle that happened on that Easter morning, we must be willing to see it in light of Jesus command given to the disciples on Holy Thursday: If I your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. If we want to understand the miracle of that first Easter morning, we must be willing to see it as part of the self-giving love that led Jesus to accept death on a cross. If we want to understand the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection, we must be willing to believe not only because of what we have heard, but because of what we know deep in our hearts.
The Resurrection is the central doctrine of our faith. It is the ultimate proof of God’s abiding love for it is the promise of life even in the midst of death. It gives hope and points toward a better future because it is the fulfillment of a promise that is made on the day of our baptism. As we ourselves are reminded tonight of the day of our baptism, we strengthen and deepen our faith in promise of the Resurrection, a promise that enlightens and guides us even in times of deepest darkness, doubt and difficulty.
Even though we may at times lack clear understanding of how God is at work in our world, like the women at the tomb on that first Easter morning, we cling to faith in a loving God who overcomes death with everlasting life.
Happy Easter.
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