Because He Lives

“He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.” Matthew 28: 6

Yesterday afternoon I watched Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ again. I had to close my eyes many times when Jesus was being scourged and mangled by the cruel guards with the flagellum aculeatum. These leather whips would tear the flesh of the victim and weaken him to prevent any sort of resistance to his being crucified. I felt like crying with Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene when I saw what they were doing to Our Lord. 

During our Easter Vigil mass last night, after the many readings and songs, when a glorious Jesus was finally revealed behind the stone that was rolled away, my joy leaped in quiet confidence. Yes, my Saviour is alive. He is risen, and He is with us! 

The revelation of Easter, Resurrection Sunday, is not something we should keep for ourselves. This is what Father Herb emphasized in last night’s homily. We should share it, even with strangers, because we will never know whom it will impact. And he told us a story which happened in 1971 when he was in Germany giving retreats and counselling. An American soldier knocked at his door late one night  and said, “Father, I don’t have a problem. I want to share with you the joy that I have in my heart because Jesus is alive.” Then he explained how Jesus became alive for him through the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. That led Father Herb to research and study about the Charismatic renewal. It was instrumental in his being baptized in the Holy Spirit himself, and getting involved in the renewal in Germany, the US, and here in the Philippines. Even in a way, our community, Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon, The Joy of the Lord Community, was formed, and many other communities after that, because a soldier that Father Herb does not remember the name of, took the time to share his joy and peace. We do not know the far reaching effects of a simple sharing. 

Because Jesus’ tomb was empty, we too have our own pilgrim journey, our own stories to tell. We too, like Mary, like Peter, have a commission to bring the joyful news of the resurrection to others. Everyone has to know the truth that we can rely on all His promises, all of the promises in the Old Testament. Because He lives, we too shall live! The same power that raised Christ from the dead can raise dead marriages to life, dead relationships, dead careers, dead hopes, dead dreams... There is resurrection power available for us who believe!