On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered His words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.” (Luke 24:1-10)
As we celebrate the important and joyous day of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we might be struck by the way in which our Lord chose to reveal this great mystery to His followers. On Sunday morning, the women went to anoint the body of Jesus with spices and they encountered the empty tomb. They further encountered two angels, men in dazzling clothes, who announced that Jesus had been raised, exactly as He said.
Although they were surprised that the tomb was empty and frightened at the appearance of the angels, it is with this announcement that they remember the words of our Lord and are led into the sure belief that He has been raised from the dead. It is also then that they begin to share that message as well. The women carry the news of the Resurrection to the apostles, they also take some time to enter fully into that sure belief that Jesus has risen from the dead.
The situation is somewhat similar for each of us as well. Now most of us have been raised in families where we have heard the news of the Easter season from the time we were small children. But hearing the news and applying that good news into the
difficult and challenging moments of our lives are different things. It is never enough to simply know the story of the Resurrection, we must rather enter deeply into this good news within our own lives.
It begins with our understanding of the passion and death of Jesus. During Holy Week, and even thereafter, I have spent time reading the passion. While reading I often reflect on where I would be within the story. I would like to think that I would be with the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John at the foot of the cross. But I must admit that in times of trial and difficulty, I might very well be with those who were calling for Jesus’ death. At times, because of various actions, I might be one who denied Jesus as St. Peter did, or like the other apostles who simply ran away because they saw that it was going to get difficult.
The most beautiful thing about the forgiveness won for us in the Resurrection is that our Lord has taken none of this into account in extending that forgiveness. It is offered to all, even those who denied Him or walked away, as long as they come to Jesus remembering the forgiveness that He offered and the good news that has been proclaimed in His rising from the dead. When the women at the tomb were given the good news of the Resurrection, “He is not here, He is risen.” It is then that they remembered the words He had spoken, then they then went on to share that good news with others.
This too is an important part of the message of the Resurrection, that the good news be shared. The women had taken this news immediately back to the apostles, and we can assume that they continued to live it and share it for as long as they lived. We too are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. In the sermon of St. Peter, he speaks of this reality. “Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:13-15) These words are all the more powerful when we realize the great change that occurred between the time when Peter denied Christ and the time when he became one who testified to Christ so strongly that ultimately he went to his death crucified upside-down for love of Christ.
My brothers and sisters, I encourage you in this upcoming Easter season to realize that the good news of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a message that is intended specifically for you. It is spoken directly to you. The women at the tomb are speaking directly to you when the share the message, the apostles and other followers of Jesus are speaking directly to you when they proclaim Christ as risen. The message is meant for you. Let us then accept it, not just in our minds but in our hearts and within our very selves. Let the message of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead begin to change everything about you. Let in bring you closer to Jesus each and every day.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has triumphed over sin and death and all things evil. But that work must still be lived out in our own lives. We must bring it to reality for ourselves, for our families, in our parishes, our communities and in our world. This is the work of Christian discipleship. Let us recite the Prayer for Divine Triumph from the PNCC Prayerbook often and then allow Christ to give us the strength to begin to accomplish the will of God in our own lives in every thought, word and deed.
Prayer for Divine Triumph
Lord, bless us with the wisdom to praise You in spirit and in truth, so that by following Your holy will, we may gain eternal salvation. May we be instruments of Your divine plan that righteousness may triumph over evil. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
To my brother Bishops, the Very Rev. and Rev. Fathers, the Deacons, to all the faithful of the Polish National Catholic Church and the Nordic Catholic Church, I extend my blessings for a truly joyous Easter day and season. May the risen life of Christ enliven each and every one of us, that we may live lives of faith in the Triune God and in love for all of our brothers and sisters.
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!