Alleluia, Jesus Has Risen From the Dead

(Reflection for Easter Sunday)

Gospel:

On the first day after the Sabbath, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark and she saw that the stone blocking the tomb had been moved away. She ran to Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved. And she said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they have laid him.”

Peter then set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down and saw the linen cloths lying flat, but he did not enter.

Then Simon Peter came following him and entered the tomb; he, too, saw the linen cloths lying flat. The napkin, which had been around his head was not lying flat like the other linen cloths but lay rolled up in its place. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and believed. Scripture clearly said that he must rise from the dead, but they had not yet understood that. (John 20: 1-9)

Reflections:

Jesus said to the Jews: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19). Now the time comes for the fulfillment of the words that he speaks to us. He was sentenced and was died on the cross. The temple was destroyed. Three days after, it was raised again in magnificence through the resurrection. Now we celebrate Easter as we have witnessed the triumph of the will of the Father. Alleluia! Jesus, His Son, has risen from the Dead.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” (Psalm 118). Our Lord and Savior has resurrected to announce to us that all that he said is now happening in God’s saving plan. God’s love to the world is forever living. In Jesus Christ, all that has been written are fulfilled. He, really, is the core message of the Father. We are saved and being loved by Him in eternity.

“God raised him to life on the third day and let him manifest himself, not to all the people, but to the witnesses that were chosen beforehand by God – to us who ate and drank with him after his resurrection from death.” (Acts 1: 40-41). Blessed are those people who believe in the resurrection of Jesus. God’s grace is living on them. Those who are witnesses of Him here on earth are blessed enough for they can share in the resurrection of the Lord. Those who can eat and drink to the table of the passion of Christ will worthy also of the rising again into new life. Blessed are those who have faith in Him “that everyone who believes in him has forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43)

Through the resurrection of Jesus, we are not children of darkness anymore. He has opened the light of heaven for we could see the splendor of the love of God again. Thus, we are now children of light. We should live life in leading our life to the path of salvation which Jesus has done. Yes, we are now saved though Jesus but it does not cease there. Though, we are the one who have sinned to God, still He does the initiative to save us. So, it is also proper that we should do our part in saving ourselves and our brethren. Through the Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, we have found the way to salvation. True enough that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Let us be guided accordingly for us to be worthy also of the resurrection. As the St. Paul says: “…if you are risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the earthly things. For you have died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, reveals himself, you also will be revealed with him in Glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

This Easter, we are being asked to be resurrected. While we are reflecting this holy week, maybe we have realized things to be done or maybe to be changed in our life. We have seen the things we have done in the past. We have analyzed the state of our life now. Seeing those things requires resolutions. It should not be wasted, being forgotten or being done again. We have no learning at all if that so. Jesus is inviting us to be transformed and be resurrected also in new life. He has prepared already the path that we should take. It is just up to us whether we would take it or not. But for sure, he is leading us and accompanying us to the path of salvation wherein at the end, our Father in heaven is waiting for us. He is so much excited in seeing us beside Him like what He feels when Jesus has returned on His right hand in heaven. Let the love of God be dwelt on us and the resurrection of Jesus be shared to us.

A Blessed Easter Sunday to all…