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April 2026 -Easter Sunday - Solemnity – Resurrection of the Lord
Mass Readings: Act
10:34a.37-43; Ps 118:1-2. 16-17. 22-23; Col 3:1-4; Jn 20:1-9 or Lk 24:13-35.
Verse to Ponder: Early
on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to
the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb (Jn 20:1).
My dear brothers and
sisters in the Lord,
The joyful echoes of Easter fill our ears today. Happy Easter to all of
you! On this great and joy-filled Solemnity of Easter, the Liturgy of the Word
presents to us the Gospel of St. John, who narrates the first part of the
resurrection story in the twentieth chapter of his Gospel.
Mary Magdalene and the Discovery of the Empty Tomb
Mary Magdalene came running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom
Jesus loved, bringing the shocking news that the stone had been removed from
the tomb and that the body of Jesus was no longer there. The Evangelist notes
that Mary went to the tomb in search of her Master. The Fourth Gospel does not
explicitly state her intention, but we can assume that she went there because
she could not accept the disappearance of the one she loved so deeply. Perhaps
she had gone to mourn the loss of her beloved Lord.
Yet something unexpected awaited her at the tomb: “She saw that the
stone had been removed from the tomb” (Jn 20:1). Her reaction was
immediate. She ran to Peter and the beloved disciple saying, “They have taken
the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” For the
apostles who heard her words, this report might have seemed like an illusion or
an idle tale, as Luke’s Gospel suggests (Lk 24:11). Yet the deep love expressed
in her words stirred Peter and the beloved disciple to run to the tomb.
Confusion and Lack of Understanding
We can imagine the confusion among the fearful apostles when Mary Magdalene
announced that the body of Jesus was missing. The Gospel writer remarks about
their lack of understanding: “For as yet they did not understand the
Scripture, that he must rise from the dead” (Jn 20:9).
God’s plans often surpass human understanding. Even those closest to Jesus
struggled to comprehend the mystery unfolding before them. Their minds were
clouded by grief, fear, and disappointment after the crucifixion. They had
forgotten Jesus’ promise that He would rise again on the third day.
The same can happen in our own lives. When we become overwhelmed by our
worries and disappointments, we find it difficult to recognize the Word of life
that Christ offers us.
The Beloved Disciple: Seeing and Believing
John refers to himself as “the other disciple whom Jesus loved.”
Several times in this passage he uses this humble expression without directly
mentioning his name. Though he remains anonymous, he never forgot the special
love that Jesus had shown him.
When he heard that the stone had been removed, he ran with Peter toward the
tomb. Being younger, and filled with love for the Master, he outran Peter and
arrived first. Yet he respectfully waited for Peter, the leader of the
apostles, to enter first.
Peter went into the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. Then John
entered the tomb as well. The Gospel tells us: “He saw and believed” (Jn
20:8).
The empty tomb became the starting point of faith.
From Doubt to Witness: The Preaching of the Resurrection
The empty tomb was only the beginning. In the first reading of today, we
see St. Peter—who once struggled to believe—now boldly proclaiming the
resurrection of Jesus: “We are witnesses to all that He did both in Judea and
in Jerusalem… They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, but God raised
Him on the third day and allowed Him to appear… to us who were chosen by God as
witnesses” (Acts 10:39–41).
On the day of Pentecost, filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter again
proclaimed the resurrection: “God raised Him up, freeing Him from death,
because it was impossible for Him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:24).
The Resurrection: The Foundation of Christian Faith
For St. Paul, the resurrection became the very heart of Christian
preaching. He writes: “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has
not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has
been in vain and your faith has been in vain” (1 Cor 15:13–14). Through His
resurrection, Christ has conquered death and sin. As Paul proclaims
triumphantly: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your
victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:54–55).
Therefore, in today’s second reading Paul encourages us to live the life of
the resurrection: “Seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at
the right hand of God… for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ
in God” (Col 3:1–3).
Christ, the Lord of Life
Death is no longer the final word. It is only a passage from this world to
the Father who calls us to eternal life. Jesus, the author of life, could not
remain in the power of death. During His earthly ministry, Jesus raised the
daughter of Jairus (Mk 5:21–43), the son of the widow of Nain (Lk 7:11–17), and
Lazarus (Jn 11:38–44). If He had the power to give life to others, surely He
had the power to rise again according to God’s plan. Jesus Himself had foretold
this mystery when He said: “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of
my own accord… I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up
again” (Jn 10:18).
Points for Personal Reflection
Dear brothers and sisters, Mary Magdalene and the disciples went to the
tomb; they saw and believed. What about our own faith in the resurrection of
Jesus? Does it fill our lives with joy and hope? The announcement of Easter
resounds throughout the world with the joyful song of Alleluia. Let us
sing it not only with our lips but also with our hearts and with our
lives—through a simple, humble lifestyle and through good deeds.
The Risen Christ is our
hope. He is the true peace of the world.
Alleluia! Happy Easter to
you all!
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