Walking with Jesus: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord B

For Sunday, March 31, 2024

Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9

Easter Sunday, a day of remembrances … a day of joy … a day of the Lord … a day that brings and gives meaning and fulfillment. Psalm 118 states it so completely and excellently: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” [Psalm 118:24] The last two verses of 118 give us direction: “You are my God, I give You thanks; my God, I offer You praise. Give thanks to the Lord, who is good, whose love endures forever.” [Psalm 118:28-29]

I remember Easter Sundays of my youth were extra special because we all wore our Easter best to church. Our parents led us shopping and we picked out special suits and dresses and all the paraphernalia associated with these outfits. As I remember it, they picked them out and we tried to give our input. The church was alive with wonderful music, amazing and beautiful floral arrangements, prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving, and happy people trying to understand the greatest mystery of the Godhead.

God created us out of love so that we would be grateful and learn how we are to live in love by following Jesus’ teaching and example, knowing the Holy Spirit is filling us with help, grace and strength to love as God loves.

We may come to this day and think that everyone “gets it” — but maybe everyone does not. Maybe they are not able to ... maybe a number are waiting for “me” to see if I live by loving. Maybe some come to church because they only come on Christmas and Easter. Others may come to please a family member or dear friend. Maybe some are present just because of habit. Some could be seeking something: They don’t know what, but they are deep seekers.

And God loves each and every one of us with a never-ending, indestructible love … inviting each to come, learn more and be touched by His love, which is totally fulfilled in heaven.

So we come in love, frightened or angry, lonely or confused ... or looking for a way into this mystery. Not only is He not in the tomb; He is here for everyone — the joyful, the wide-eyed, the frightened, the non-committed. He is here for you and me … He always has been. He loves us!!!

The first reading sets the stage: Peter traces the drama of our God’s redemption of His people from Jesus’ ministry to His resurrection. During subsequent Sunday readings we will witness an enormous transformation taking place within the community: They arise from their panic to scream out and live the love of Jesus. Next, wonders of the Holy Spirit are broadcast: Sick are cured, ardent persecutors become devout followers, Gentiles are converted. Jesus is love!

Today's epistle continues through the ensuing weeks, giving instructions on how we are to live as disciples of Jesus’ love. The bottom line is that we are continually reminded to remember Jesus’ promise that heaven is our absolute goal, attainable by living as faithful children of God, obeying the commandments: especially the commandment of love, whether convenient or inconvenient. The Spirit continues to gift each one of us so that others can see Jesus — who is love — in us.

The Gospels depict the final days of Jesus on earth and, today, His “rising from the dead” that the disciples have never experienced before. In subsequent weeks Jesus visits them, hiding in the Upper Room where they had celebrated the Passover meal mere days earlier. The gospels spells out Jesus as the Good Shepherd … the True Vine … Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit upon them. We see God’s total love of Jesus and total love of us. Mark’s gospel today characterizes Jesus’ absence. Women are present. Where are the men? Jesus isn't here? Is there meaning to this? Perhaps we don’t have to reach any further than the “aloneness” moments in our lives where even we wonder where God is … what God could be teaching us. Maybe we have to be more intense in our searching, asking God to strengthen our faith … our trust … our love.

Let us concentrate on these two meanings of Easter:

1. There can be no more forceful way for God to prove His love for us than in offering His Son for our salvation.
2. Jesus’ life and death offer us a concrete model of how we should live our human lives.

Sacred Space 2024 states:

“It is the day after the funeral, with time to remember, to share stories, to take quiet time. Perhaps Peter and Judas, as flawed disciples, may speak to us in our feeble attempts to be loyal. Lord, help us to appreciate more fully who You are and what You have done for us.

“What was the day like for Mary? The prophecy of the sword of sorrow piercing her heart had become more real [Luke 2:34-35]. It was painful for her to see her beloved Son of compassion and love being treated so cruelly. May we draw strength from the fidelity of Mary in staying with Jesus to the end.”