“Jesus is Risen!” is the cry of an Easter people. There is nothing more important to us than this. If Jesus has not risen from the dead, then the Gospel is emptied of its power and our lives of discipleship are meaningless in the equation of eternal life.
Two days ago, we heard the tragic story of the suffering and death of Jesus. It was a sad story — a tragedy. It was the story of an apparent failure. All we were hoping for had come to an end, and like the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, we felt discouraged. But what we heard two days ago was not the whole story. The end was missing. And in a good story it is the end that counts.
End of the Story
Today we hear and celebrate the end of the story. Today we can again sing “Alleluia” that we have not sung throughout Lent. So, why do we rejoice today? What has the end of the story to do with it? We rejoice because listening to the end of the story, we come to know that our faith in Christ has been vindicated, that truth has triumphed over falsehood, justice over injustice and that tragedy has turned into happy ending. No, death and failure were not the end of the story.
There was one more chapter and this is the most important chapter. In this last chapter of the story of Jesus we see Him rise from the dead in glory. He is vindicated. His enemies are shamed and confused. Jesus regains His eternal glory with the Father. For us, His struggling followers, this is good news.
Truth
Today, we come to know that truth is immortal. And that is good to know. People can and will always try to suppress truth, accuse truth of being a lie, condemn it, torture it, kill it, and bury it in the grave. But on the third day, Truth has risen and will always rise in the end. This encourages us to never give up on truth. True will always be true. Just will always be just. Right will always be right even when the world around us would have it otherwise. It is the end of the story that counts. That is why the Church asks us today to rejoice and be glad. Even when we are going through very difficult times, even when the enemy seems to be winning the battle in our lives — this is never the end of our story.
Today, Christ has won. And we know that in Christ we shall overcome. Alleluia, Praise the Lord!
Lord, I thank You for the Good News of Your glorious resurrection. It gives me joy, courage, and hope. You have defeated evil, and death and You will defeat it for me as long as I cling to You and follow You loyally.
REFLECTION QUESTION:
How can I show that Jesus is indeed Risen from the dead?
