Waiting for Resurrection

Gen. 1:1–2:2, Gen. 22:1-18, Ex. 14:15–15:1, Ish 54:5-14, Ish 55:1-11, Bar. 3:9-15.32–4:4, Ezk. 36:16-17.18-28, Epistle: Rom. 6:3-11, Mt. 28:1-10. In today's Gospel, the women brought spices to the tomb, but feared that their journey was in vain, since a large stone barred the entrance. The journey of those women is also our own journey of salvation that we make this evening. Today's readings from the Old Testament recall the history of Israel, how in many ways God saved them when it seems that everything came up against a solid barrier: the beauty of creation against the tragedy of sin; liberation against infidelity; the promises of the prophets against the listless indifference of the people. Also, in the history of the Church and in our personal history. It seems that the steps we take never take us to our goal. We can be tempted to think that any dashed hope is the bleak law of life. Today we see that our journey is not in vain; it does not end with a 'tombstone'.

Only the words of the Angel astound the woman and change history: “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said." Let us not think that everything is hopeless, that no one can take away our 'tombstones'. Let us not give in to resignation and failure because Easter is the feast of stones taken away and rocks rolled aside. God takes away even the hardest stones against which our hopes and expectations dash: coronavirus pandemic, death, sin, fear, worldliness. Our history cannot end with this dreaded infectious disease. We are built on Him, and, even when we grow disheartened and tempted to judge everything in the light of our failures, He comes to make all things new, to overturn our every disappointment. Each of us is called tonight to rediscover in the Risen Christ the one who rolls back from our heart the heaviest of stones. Let us remove the stone of discouragement that blocks our hope. Once we start thinking that everything is going badly and that things cannot get better, we become cynical, negative and despondent. Stone upon stone, we build within ourselves a graveyard of hope. By a series of complaints we grow sick in spirit. Let us put on the garment of hope as we put on Christ.

May Christ who went down into the world of the dead to free the just, heal the world from this coronavirus pandemic, bring recovery to those infected and restore the hope of all! Amen!! Be safe and Happy Holy Saturday!!!