The Homily for The Solemnity of Easter Sunday, 4th April, 2021

 The Homily for The Solemnity of Easter Sunday, 4th April, 2021

Readings: Acts.10:34.37-43; Ps. 118; 2Cor 3:1-4; John 20:1-9

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

COME AND ENCOUNTER THE RISEN LORD

For over forty days we have journeyed with our Lord Jesus, we listened to him speaking of his mission to redeem humanity. Like his first disciples we experienced his love, healing and compassion, we believed in him even when we lack the full knowledge of his mission. 

On Ash Wednesday as customary, we put on ashes in penitent for our sins. We fasted and abstained from food and other things and we did great charity works all this forty days. On Palm Sunday, we shouted Hosanna!! Hosanna!! Filio David, on Holy Thursday we dine with the Lord, though with divided minds as he told us about the betrayal and his passion. On Good Friday, Jesus was taken away from us, in our presence, he was judged, and condemned and we cried out crucify him!! Crucify him!!, he was indeed crucified on account of our sins.

 In sorrows and agonies we were sacarted and hopelessly went back to Emmaus by our ugly ways of life. But for some like Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, we wondered in great silence of Holy Saturday, what must have happened to the mission of Christ, in fear and hope we waited patiently in all night vigil meditating on the words of God in search of an answer to the mystery of the salvation of humanity promised to us by Jesus.

Behold at this point, the voice of an angel singing: Exult!!, let them Exult!!, the host of heaven, Exult!!, let Angel ministers of God Exult, let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our might King’s triumph!  Be glad let earth be glad for the stone has been taken away from the tomb, our Lord has risen, Jesus is risen, light has triumph over darkness. What a glorious day, a day of victory, a day when the salvation of humanity is won, a day of personal encounter of the risen Lord. 

Let us then celebrate the Lord’s victory. let us like Mary Magdalene, Peter and John run towards the empty tomb with open heart to encounter Christ, who had died and is risen in order to renew us, in order to remove from our hearts the guilty of sin and death, so that we can embrace his divine and eternal life.

Dear friends, this is the fundamental core of our Christian faith; this is the victory that transforms us and unites us with our Lord. Hence, if Jesus is risen, and is alive, who will ever be able to separate us from him? Who will ever be able to deprive us the love of him, who has conquered hatred and overcomes death? 

Therefore, I don't know what has been your experience in this world, I don't know how you woke up today, I don't know what troubles you mind. But all I know is that today is another gift of God to humanity, a day of joy, a day of victory. I am excited, hopeful and am going to live it with all joy, not trying to change things that I could not change or try to fix things that do not want to be fixed. I will not let the ugly  situation in our world today or any ugly event of the past distract me today or steal my joy. I will focus on the blessings that comes with the joy of the risen Lord. I will follow the directives of the Lord, for his ways are right and the upright walk in them, but the transgressors stumble in them. Thus, let us proclaim the Easter victory and spread it throughout the world with the joyful song of Alleluia.  

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, today the victory of our salvation is won, as we experience the Lord May the joy of the risen Lord fill our hearts today and always. Happy Easter to you and your house hold.