REFLECTIONS FOR THE EASTER VIGIL- 2020
Historians speak about 5 Jews who changed the course of the history of the world. They are Moses, the liberator and the first Law giver; Jesus Christ, the one who gave the commandment of love, “love one another”; Karl Max, who wrote the Communist Manifesto which brought about financial revolution; Sigmund Freud, who is known as the Father of Modern Psychology through his famous Psychoanalytic Theory; and Albert Einstein, who discovered the Theory of Relativity which changed the perception of the Universe. These discoveries and inventions have changed the course of the history of the world. The world has seen and experienced several prominent leaders both in the secular worlds as well as in the religious world. There are several founders of different religions, but none of their tombs stay open, except for that of Jesus Christ. No religious leader in the history of the world rose from the dead, except Jesus Christ, in spite of being guarded by 16 armed and well-trained Roman soldiers. Now, Christians, all over the world come together to celebrate this mega event which is called the Resurrection of Christ that took place in history of the world more than 2000 years ago.
We know Easter, is the greatest feast of our faith, is the very basis of our faith, and is a guarantee for our own resurrection.
We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, not just because our religion teachers or forefathers told us, but Jesus Himself testified to it, and we see it in different gospel accounts such as, Mark 8:31, Matthew 17:22, and Luke 9:22. Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it up within three days” Jn 2:19. The angel said to the women at Jesus’ tomb: “Why are you looking among the dead for the one who is alive? He is not here but has risen” Luke 24:56. The initial disbelief of Jesus’s own disciples in spite of the different apparitions itself is proof for His resurrection. They began to preach Jesus only after being anointed by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. We know, that we have enough proof and evidence about the Resurrection of Jesus. We know Easter, is the greatest feast of our faith, is the very basis of our faith, and is a guarantee for our own resurrection.
But the question is, how is this Resurrection of Christ which took place more than 2000 years ago is impacting our lives in the 21st century in the midst of COVID19?
First and foremost, we are a people of Resurrection and therefore we are not to lose hope in the midst of this difficult time of Covid19. This time will pass. A time of healing and wellness will come soon. A time of joy, jubilation, and laughter will come back. For example, we just commemorated the passion, suffering, and death of Christ, which is painful; but now we are celebrating his resurrection, which is joyful. The day of Resurrection from this deadly virus, that has led us to hardship, suffering and death is not far from us.
Secondly, we are to focus our lives on the Resurrected Christ as He is our model and example for our lives and Resurrection.
Thirdly, we are called to be transparent Christians in our lives showing love, mercy, compassion, and self-sacrifices of the Risen Christ.
Lastly, we are to live the Resurrection in our personal lives. Resurrection implies death, and death is painful. We are called to die to our sins, die to our self, even to our own dear dreams and wonderful aspirations, so that the Risen Christ can use us for His mission and ministry to bring Resurrection in the lives of others around us. Happy Easter and May God bless us all.
With Prayers,
Fr Tomy Puliyan, MSFS
“Holiness and Happiness through Wellness and Wholeness”
Wonderful reflection chettai. Throws some light and some consolation to my confusion. Thank you. Yes….a painful truth that one need to undergo passion and death to be resurrected.
Thank you for this beautiful reflection, Fr. Tomy. I enjoyed it, especially parts of your opening paragraph. There is no other religion nor religious leader like Jesus. He is the only one who was fully man and fully God and rose from the dead. It’s such a beautiful crucial part of Theology that makes so much sense, and it makes sense even in its irony. I also have never heard Jesus listed as one of the 5 most famous Jews in history. That’s quite a list of major Jewish historical figures. How interesting 🙂
A great essay, yes, we are Resurrection People!
What a beautiful reflection! He is Risen, Alleluia!!! And also, what a gift He left us in the Shroud of Turin which continues to offer proof of the Sacred Scripture account and even scientific evidence confirmed by atheist scientists who studied the Shroud with the most advanced technology available.
Fr. Tomy, you are such a blessing!!! Thank you for this message of Hope!!!