Easter 2019 Homily - God's World Will Triumph
Thank you Father Ford. I believe this homily is excellent and should be widely read beyond the Easter Season.
Homily of Father Ford: The joy of this Easter Day is marred by the great sadness caused by the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. In my view, the tragedy has manifested the wonder of faith seemingly rejected in an irreligious culture. The agnostic president of France has promised to rebuild the Cathedral. Young people in the hundreds knelt in the Parisian street. The reaction of the city and the world demonstrates the deep yearning for God in the soul of every person. It reminds us that God years to be one with every one of us. Faith lives despite the efforts to ignore the wonder of God. We know that faith is a tremendous gift. We who have come together this Easter morning received this gift through baptism and confirmation. This gift enables us to look beyond the tragedies of our world. This gift enables u s to know joy despite the pain and sadness that enters into every live. Easter faith informs us that the devastation of Notre Dame, a great cathedral, that endured war, violence, abuse and all other evil will not have the last word. God's word will triumph.
In fact, the assurance that God has the last word is our reason for hope. The triumph of Jesus over death assures us that our world will make sense in the long run, even if, at times, it seems to be spinning out of control. History will not end in some cruel joke, even if along the way there are terrible tragedies. Easter informs us that our personal lives can achieve their full promise, even if our actions sometimes contradict our best intentions. The final word will be a word of light and love.
Today, and in the coming days and weeks, we will hear much about an empty tomb. Today, Mary of Magdala's amazement and the discovery of Peter and John inform us that the body was not stolen because the burial cloths are placed neatly in the tomb. No one would unwrap a corpse. The discovery of emptiness will soon be widened as the Risen Lord reveals himself to Mary in the garden and to Peter, John and others in the evening. They will be transformed and soon begin the transformation of the world The empty tomb become a symbol of joy.
In the first reading (Acts10), Peter spoke about his transformation and of the mission of Jesus. He noted that they ate and drank with Jesus after he rose from the dead. The experience of a meal or meals emboldened him t testify that Jesus was fully alive. Last week, and on Good Friday, we heard about Peter and his denials. But today, we witness the transformation of Peter. The Easter experience had been so powerful that Peter and the rest has been changed. Those who had deserted and denied had become bold in faith and eager to tell the story about Jesus. In my view, their transformation is the best proof for the resurrection of the Lord.
As I have said, this faith brings us to church on the Easter Day. We observe the essential teaching of our faith. The Lord is raised! The Lord Jesus lives! The same Lord who moved Peter from being a denier is one with us. We, the baptized, are one in Christ. In his company, we have live in abundance. We have this life to share. Like Mary of Magdala, Peter and John, we have the faith that death is conquered, evil can be overcome, the world can be changed. Though some may try to argue that there are things more precious than this faith of our, I would challenge them to face serious and terminal illness without faith. I would challenge them to stand at the bedside of a dying friend or family member and not realize in that moment when all our possessions, abilities and talents are passing, only faith and love exist. Indeed, there is nothing more precious than our faith in the god who loves us.
On Easter, I like to recall words from a letter of Bishop Joseph Gerry, in 1998, to the people of Maine.
In the letter, he described the power o four Easter faith. He write the following: "Each time you love again after having your love rejected, you share in the life and power of the Risen Lord. Each time you trust after having your trust betrayed, you share in the life and power o f the Risen Lord. Each time you fail and try again,you share in the life and power of the Risen Lord. Each time you acknowledge every person as sister and brother and extend your hands to them in need, you share in the life and power of the Risen Lord. Each time you show respect for life and respond when it is threatened wither from abortion, euthanasia, poverty, hunger or injustice, you share in the life and power of the Risen Lord. Each time you let the gospel shed its light on your work at schcool or in the public arena, you share in the life and power of the Risen Lord."
May we be so. May our young people be so. The life and power of the Risen Lord can transform our lives, our homes and our world.
Amen.
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