Hagelin Easter 2017 pg. 1

Transcription

1 Hagelin Easter 2017 pg. 1 I. Intro The last couple of years I have managed to do the unconventional thing of fitting quotes from famous rapper The Notorious BIG into my Easter homilies. Now, don t protest! He has an album, after all, titled Life After Death hard to get more Easter-themed than that! But any Easter relevance in his music escaped me this year; the best I found was this: You're nobody 'til somebody kills you. That DOES fit the Easter theme without Jesus death there is no resurrection, no Christianity, and no eternal life; but Biggie is probably referencing Tupac s death. So I had to look to other rappers. Kanye West wrote an entire song about Jesus, but this is the closest I got: I ain't here to argue about [Christ s] facial features Or here to convert atheists into believers I'm just tryna say the way school need teachers The way Kathie Lee needed Regis, that's the way I need Jesus. Okay, comparing Jesus to Regis Philbin is clever, and at least Regis is Catholic! But still pretty shallow. So, as a last resort I turned to the good doctor that is Dr. Dre who said: The only two things that scare me are God and the IRS. Dr. Dre is well-catechized in having a healthy fear of the Lord. And the IRS is relevant given that Tuesday is tax-day. Finally, and it s probably not a stretch to compare the IRS to those who killed Jesus, but still not insightful enough to be the basis of an Easter homily. II. NOT OVERCOME But luckily and seriously now our Parish already has a Holy Week theme titled NOT OVERCOME which comes from a DIVINELY INSPIRED AUTHOR that is Saint

2 Hagelin Easter 2017 pg. 2 John who opens His Gospel writing about Jesus Who He calls THE WORD in this following passage: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it In five short verses here, St. John encapsulates Who Jesus is, what He came to do, and the ongoing effect in our world: the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus is the definitive victory of light and life over-andagainst the forces of darkness and death which tried but failed to overcome Him on the Cross. The Resurrection does not totally banish darkness or its influence on us; rather the now invincible LIGHT shining in the darkness illuminates a path for those willing to move towards the light that is Jesus Christ. But the darkness is real, let s not kid ourselves. III. Jesus the Crucified The darkness did not overcome Jesus, but it did leave a mark. Notice in today s Gospel, when addressing the women, HOW the angel refers to the Lord: You are seeking Jesus the Crucified. Jesus the Crucified. Why not Jesus the Risen One? Maybe it strikes us as strange, but it s SO clear in the Gospel that Jesus was not ashamed of His crucifixion. On the contrary, He flaunts it. Thus, after the resurrection, the Lord Jesus still possesses and exhibits His wounds because they are permanent marks of His victory over death. This is where it is relevant for you: from Easter onward, EVERY CHRISTIAN IS offered the freedom to live a transformed life of peace, stability, meaning and holiness. The marks of Christ s crucifixion borne even in His glorified body, however, clearly indicate that the transformed life the Lord desires for you will NOT BE divorced from your past.

3 Hagelin Easter 2017 pg. 3 This is consoling because Christian transformation does not eliminate your individuality or deepest desires, but purifies and perfects them. It is also challenging, however, because most of us wish that the worst things we have experienced whether inflicted by others, by ourselves or simply the result of tragedy or whatever interpersonal struggle we might be currently experiencing would recede into nonexistence. But that is short-sided: not only is it impossible to avoid struggle OR go back to the way things were before something unpleasant; BUT perhaps unfortunately, those things are the fuel and catalyst of true conversion and transformation. God is so creative that His mercy transforms even the very worst evils; into what often becomes a Christian disciple s greatest strength. Look again to Jesus wounds: Jesus the Crucified. The darkness makes its mark, but as we heard the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. I know several persons in each of the following scenarios: A divorced person who relates how much stronger she is as a person and as a Christian after a divorce as painful as it was. An alcoholic who emerges sober with a strength, maturity, and compassion now possessed only because of former and ongoing struggles. Daughters and sons from broken or dysfunctional homes, who dedicate their adult lives to social work and serving children. The newly widowed, who suddenly have ample time to dedicate to their spiritual life and service of others. Those are just a few examples of the paschal mystery (or Easter grace) taking root in the lives of believers. You cannot undo the past, but in the hands the wounded hands of the Lord Jesus, there is forgiveness, mercy, and unbelievable creativity that can bring incredible good from trials and evil. It s not painless, but it is real and transformational. IV. on their way That transformation of past, present and future is what the Lord promises through the resurrection. But how do attain that promise or make use of that grace? Let s look to the women in today s Gospel. After the angel s announcement we heard:

4 Hagelin Easter 2017 pg. 4 Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. I want you to notice, that the angel s hope-filled message made them overjoyed; but the concept was so strange and new to them that they were understandably fearful as well. But they follow as instructed and get on the road. Keep this image now. It is only after they had abandoned their plans that day, and incredulously stumbled the way that they were directed that Jesus met them on their way. The Lord Jesus did not meet them at the tomb; at the place where their lack of faith, flawed expectations, dimmed imagination and grief resided. THE LORD DID NOT MEET THEM AT THE TOMB. The same is true today: if you do not challenge yourself, venture outside your comfort zone, risk that you actually have unique spiritual gifts lying dormant, courageously accept on faith that you more loved by God than you could possibly imagine, and throw caution to the wind in running out to meet the Lord; you are unlikely to encounter God in any powerful way. The Lord promises that those who seek find. But you have to actually seek, and not drift through life spiritually asleep. How do we do so? Very simple: take one step. If you are sick of the darkness or drudgery, take a risk: explore and seek the One who calls Himself the Light. If you already have Faith but feel disconnected from your parish or from God right now find one ongoing way to serve alongside other parishioners; that is the easiest way to feel connected to your parish and Christ. If you already feel connected, choose one additional spiritual discipline or form of service that is outside your comfort zone. Helping our youth serve at Youth Migrant this summer. Eucharistic Adoration, or one of the two featured programs (Forty Weeks or the Wild Goose series) beginning next month those are just a few examples. Dear friends in Christ, the Lord meets you exactly where you are; but He knows that you perceive Him and hear His voice more clearly when you earnestly step out in Faith, and move from your comfort zone. You will encounter the Lord Jesus in that place, and there you can

5 Hagelin Easter 2017 pg. 5 experience the transformative and surprising power of His love in your life. Will you be brave enough to step out? What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it Praised be Jesus Christ: He is Risen. And Peace to all of you this holy day, and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart. ~St. Melito of Sardis