EASTER is the greatest event for all humankind. It is the
triumph of God’s love over evil and death. Jesus’ death on the cross is the
greatest love that can be offered. Though sinless and blameless, Jesus took the
blame for the sins of humanity for all time, since the beginning of the human
race till the end of time. Jesus offered himself. Is this offering acceptable?
Is this kind of love effective? Will it overcome the force of evil and death?
If the death and burial of Jesus were the end of the story, we are not sure
whether his love and offering were effective. Easter is the confirmation that
Jesus’ love is triumphant. It is able to overcome all evil, even death!
Jesus has emptied himself to the fullest. “Being found in
human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even
death on a cross.” (Phil 2:8) On the part of God, He accepted him and lifted
him up. His offering was acceptable and effective. “God has highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” (Phil 2:9) We therefore
loudly acclaim ALLELUIA! Praise the Lord!
Easter is not only about Jesus. It is about all of us.
First and foremost, Easter has truly set us free from the power of evil and
death. The prophet Ezekiel has prophesied: “You shall know that I am the Lord,
when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.” (Ezekiel
37:13) We are no longer enslaved by sin. Death is not our end. We are set free! Not only that! The power of
Easter is now operative in us. As Jesus has overcome evil we too can overcome
evil. We are assured by these words of Jesus: “In the world you will have
tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33) This gives
us confidence to face life and all its vicissitudes. The assurance of victory
is given to us. All acts of love and trust will be rewarded.
Pope Francis urges us: “The evils of our world – and
those of the Church – must not be excuses for diminishing our commitment and
our fervor…. Our faith is challenged to discern how wine can come from water
and how wheat can grow in the midst of weeds. (Evangelii Gaudium 84) Because of
Easter we do not fall into pessimism and defeatism. We are assured of Jesus’
victory, which will also be ours if we stay close to him and follow his path.
The Holy Father warned: “One of the more serious temptations which stifles
boldness and zeal is a defeatism which turns us into disillusioned pessimists.
Nobody can go off to battle unless he is fully convinced of victory beforehand.
If we start without confidence, we have already lost half the battle and we
bury our talents.” (Evangelii Gaudium 85) With the Easter event, we are
convinced of victory beforehand!
“We are Easter people and Alleluia is our song!” the
Church Fathers tell us. So we face sufferings, setbacks, evil and even death
with confidence. We shall overcome! Jesus has shown us the way. We are assured
that love will triumph, no matter how bitter is the hatred; truth will shine
forth, no matter how sinister are the lies; righteousness will prevail, no
matter how injustice is prevalent. This is good news, for it seems at the
moment that lies, violence, and hatred on the one hand, and apathy,
indifference and skepticism on the other hand, seem to prevail. But this is not
so! The power of the resurrection in operative among us Easter people!
Jesus is risen!
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