Happy and Blessed Easter to Everyone!

Last forty days we were in the desert with Jesus, and we came to the climax to celebrate Easter – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We read in the Gospel of Matthew 28:5&6, the angel said, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen. He has Risen! Alleluia!! I wish you all a Blessed Easter!

It is beautiful to walk through the reading for Easter. The Old Testament readings of the Easter Vigil tell us the covenant history of salvation: beginning with creation and extending to the prophetic promises of a new           covenant. The first reading from the Book of Genesis (1:1-2:2), narrates the fundamental doctrine of creation and prepares us for the renewal of Baptismal promises as a new creation. In the second reading also from the book of Genesis 22:1-18), Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only son. It is the high point of Abraham’s covenant  relationship with God and blessing on his descendants. On Good Friday, Our Heavenly Father allows his only begotten Son to be crucified on Calvary. In the third reading from the book of Exodus, Israelites marched on the dry land through the midst of the sea (14:15-5:1). The parting of the sea is a critical Old Testament type of baptism.

The next two readings are from the book of Isaiah. In the fourth reading, the Lord will with his enduring love,   resume his covenant love for Zion and rebuild with precious stones and grant it righteousness and prosperity (54:5-14). This reading shapes the minds of believers, especially those who are receiving Sacraments, about the dual    reality of the Church as both Bride and Temple. The fifth reading is an invitation for a meal. The Lord’s thoughts and ways are higher, and His words will not return empty (55:1-11). This passage is associated with the Gospel of Matthew (14:13-21) the account of the feeding of the five thousand. Ultimately it leads to the  Eucharist. This reading prepares us to reaffirm our faith and particularly those who are prepared to receive the Sacrament of     Eucharist for the first time. The next reading is from the book of the prophet Baruch which talks about wisdom and law (3:9-15, 32-4:4). It is an invitation to walk towards the splendor of the Lord and live the faith to the full. The seventh reading from the Book of Ezekiel talks about the restoration of Israel (36:16-17, 18- 28). The Lord will gather the Israelites from exile, cleans them by springling the clean water, and give them a new heart and a new spirit, so they can grow in the law of love. The Sacrament of Baptism is the new cleansing and the Holy renewing the heart to grow in the law of love.

 A couple of years ago I had the privilege of going on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We did make the Way of the Cross to Calvary and visited where Jesus was crucified and buried. We celebrated Mass at the Church of Holy Sepulcher. It was a faith filled moment. Calvary is not a huge hill, considering where Jesus went to pray or where He transfigured. Why? I don’t think Roman soldiers want to climb a huge hill to crucify somebody. They chose     Calvary for their own convenience. For Jesus, it was not just walking up the hill. He was scourged, crowned with thorns, and carried the heavy cross. He was carrying our burdens. In the Church of Sepulcher, we can see the place where Jesus was crucified, “Golgotha” and next to it is a small church within the Church  Sepulcher, which is the tomb of Christ. It is not just the Church of Tomb, but also the Church of Resurrection.

The Gospel for Easter Vigil from Matthew (28:1-10) starts with “After the Sabbath toward the dawn of the first day of the week.” Easter Sunday Gospel reading from John (20: 1-9) also starts with “On the first day of the week.” Here Matthew and John highlight the connection between Easter and Sunday, the first day of the week. In another word, it was Sunday that Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead. In the book of Genesis chapter one and two gives us a creation account. God created everything and finally human beings as the crown of   creation and on the seventh day God rested. We read in Genesis 2:3, “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy       because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.”

The first day of the week recalls the first creation. After the Sabbath, the first day of the week, Christ through his death and Resurrection made everything new. God didn’t just come to save us; he came to the world to make all things new – New Creations. During Lent, through prayer and fasting, we were preparing our hearts to celebrate the Pascal Mysteries. Its culmination is the Easter celebration. Let us rise with him on Easter and become his new creation. He has Risen! Alleluia!! Happy Easter!