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EASTER SUNDAY - GLORIFICATION FROM THE TOMB
Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen!
Our Lord Jesus Christ came down from heaven and became a man like us. He walked this earth and, in order to save us, endured passion, pain, and hardship, and bore death by crucifixion. By defeating death, He has made us all shareholders in the Kingdom of God and has restored our entry into Paradise. Easter Sunday is a glorious day. The Holy Church calls us to assemble today to experience great hope and joy. The empty tomb is the symbol of this victory.
The angels from heaven, standing near the tomb, said to the holy women, 'Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen.' The women and the disciples, who had been in great distress and agony, experienced the greatest joy of their lives during the early morning of Easter Day.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us this great hope. Without knowing what lay ahead, in an experience that was causing great obstruction, when two women looked, the great stone in front of them had been rolled away. The women, who were standing helpless, saw that the obstruction they feared had been removed. In our lives also, moments of helplessness arise. However, when we have complete faith and hope in Jesus Christ, approaching Him in prayer, the obstructions in our lives will also be rolled away and removed, even without our knowledge. This is what the feast of Resurrection reminds us.
Thinking that the Master in whom they believed and on whom they depended had departed from them, two desperate people traveled from Jerusalem to Emmaus, experiencing profound despair. Here, we see the resurrected Jesus, who strengthens them, opens their eyes, and brings them back.
In our journey through life, we frequently have to face despair. When things do not happen as we wish, we become desperate. However, even if things do not happen in the manner or at the time we wish, we must have the conviction that God has a plan. God will reinstate us. God will reach us where we are, in a manner and at His time, according to His plan. That is what we learn from these two disciples.
Then we see Mary Magdalene reaching the place where her Lord was, in a state of utter dismay and with her life completely broken, finding that even the body of her beloved master is not to be seen. While she was standing and weeping, the resurrected Jesus went to her and called her name, 'Mary!' She found the sound very familiar, recognized Him, and cried out, 'Rabboni!' (meaning Teacher). In our own lives, when we stand in total dismay and despair, and when we face hardships where we cannot find an answer, Jesus comes near to us, calls our name, and wipes away our tears. This brings us the gospel message that Jesus is always near to us. That is the Gospel of the Resurrection.
The disciples, having assembled in the upper room out of fear, found refuge there. The resurrected Jesus came into their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you". Christ gives peace to those who are in great fear. Similarly, in our own lives, when we are engrossed by fear and anxiety, the resurrected Christ is our peace. Expect him, and he will be near us.
At the start of Lent, we performed the Shubkono service, a symbol of peace. Having received Christ’s peace and passed through the Lenten days, we witnessed the reconciliation between God and humanity, removing the barrier between us. As we depart after Easter, we greet one another, and we must depart in mutual peace. This peace should heal our inner pain, eliminate the desire for revenge, remove our internal anger, and wash away all stigma, allowing us to walk in perfect peace. We should be in peaceful harmony with others, receiving comfort for our body, mind, and spirit. May this Easter day bring that to fruition. Let us pray for it.
Our country’s progress in various ways is largely based on our access to the Gulf countries, as we know. Since the 1970s, the root cause of our economic growth has been our people going to Gulf countries, working hard there, and remitting money back to our country. We are currently living in prosperity because of that source. While this continues even now, for the last few weeks, news of tension in that area has caused disruption to everyone's life. I know many people here are directly worried. Many of our dear ones are there in the Middle East. If a conflict occurs, we all get affected, even if nobody from our direct family is there. If there are difficulties there, our land is greatly affected.
Let us pray together. Let us pray for peace. Let us pray for our dear ones there who are in great distress. Let us all come near to God. God will show a way. As the stone was removed, God will remove the obstacles currently prevailing. Everything is possible with God. Let us confront this with great faith in God. There is no night that has not dawned; there is no rain that has not stopped. Though Jesus died, He resurrected on the third day. There will definitely be an end to this, as God always intervenes. Let us not lose hope; let us keep faith in Jesus. Let us pray for our land, our country, and for the whole world to live in harmony, free from war and calamities. May leaders be guided by God, removing their selfish thoughts.
During this Lenten period, may we attain true goodness—be it peace, godly fear, strength, mastery over our passions, or the elimination of evil thoughts and desires. Whatever blessings we have received through this Lent, fasting, and prayer, let them not end today. Let us pray for God’s help to sustain these blessings in our daily lives. May He bless us all.
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