EASTER SUNDAY HOMILY 2020

HAPPY EASTER!!!    ALLELUIA!!!

       In the Gospel we just heard, there is the following provocative statement: “Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.” 

       The question is, WHAT did he see that caused him to believe?   There was nothing and no one there.  Just an empty tomb with some discarded burial cloths.  He did not see the Risen Jesus.  He did not see an angel, like in Matthew’s Gospel.  All he saw was an empty tomb. 

       Well, obviously he did not see only with his physical eyes, but rather with the eyes of FAITH.

       Sisters and brothers, we too must look, not with our physical eyes, but with the eyes of faith.  What are we looking at?  What are we looking for?  A resurrected body?  A kind of Hollywood special-effects spectacular?  

       Well, not really.  Rather we are looking for something both more subtle and more powerful: the PRESENCE of the Resurrected Lord in our lives.   We are looking for the power, impact, and influence of the Risen Jesus on our feelings, on our senses, on our relationships, on our actions, on our deepest selves.

       On the physical level, before us there is only an empty tomb.   What do you see?  In this time of terrible pandemic, is all we see economic hardship, isolation, worry, loneliness, suffering, sickness and death?  The Gospel today, and our Faith, call us to look in a different way – like the other disciple does, for we are that “other disciple” –  called to see and believe: to see the heroic generosity and bravery of EMS workers, nurses, doctors, researchers, and all who are battling this disease.  To see generosity, compassion, bravery and even heroism in our very selves.  To see the victory of Christ over death in 100 ways in our lives and in the lives of others.  To see and believe!

       Alleluia!  Happy Easter!