Homily, Easter 2023
From The Pastor
‘What good would life have been for us
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?
Oh, Happy fault, Oh necessary sin of Adam,
which gained for us so great a Redeemer.
This is the night when Jesus Christ broke
the chains of death and rose
triumphant from the grave.’
What good indeed! What would our lives be without the dying and rising of Jesus? The Resurrection of Jesus changes everything. Given the ravages of sin in the world and certainty of human death, what would the world be without a human-Divine God who has risen from the dead? Rising from the dead defeats the fear and suffering of death. The redemptive death of Jesus heals the wound of sin and defeats the power of evil in the truth of love.
Each of us must ask ourselves this question. What does the Resurrection of Jesus mean to me? In some tangible way, what difference does the Resurrection of Jesus mean for your life? Accepting that Jesus rose from the dead and is now alive in a glorified and eternal way, how does that impact your personal awareness of life day to day? What does it mean to you as a person in the way you live and love?
Faith in Jesus as the Christ who died and is now alive creates a deep identity and a new sense of self in each of us. Our hope has a face and an identity in the person and the life of Jesus. Contrast this with the life of Peter, James, and John prior to meeting Jesus. They were fishermen who worked hard to make a living for themselves and their families. They lived with oppression from the Romans and the grind of daily existence in a time of poverty. Death was always close by. They held faith in God and the promise of a coming Messiah. Prior to Jesus, this was a longed-for hope over generations of believers. All they could do was wait.
Now Jesus has come. The long-awaited hope is fulfilled. Our hope is different because it is seen and realized in Jesus who died for us and is now alive. More than any worldly Messiah who could defeat all our enemies and oppressors, we have a Redeemer who lives and dwells in us in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our hope is both here and beyond. Christ is our surety and providence in this world as well as our promise of heavenly glory.
As believers, how is hope realized today in our wounded and changing world? How do we build up hope against all that discourages us? Hope grows directly from the Lord’s rising from the dead. Why? The reality of death in the shame of sin, fears the punishment of judgement. Fear clings to control and fights for security against the threat of vulnerability. The dying and rising of Jesus transforms fear into the hope of mercy, forgiveness, and the promise of life after death.
How do we build hope? Believe in Jesus with all your heart. Trust Jesus in good times and in bad. Exercise faith through a life of love and attentive care for others. These things are obvious and easy to say, but they are not so easily accomplished.
Worldly concerns constantly bombard us. Personal needs and concerns continually fill our days. How do we sustain hope?
Be in relationship. Do not be disconnected from others or in isolation. Separation leads to loneliness, discouragement, and poor habits of self-care. Our first relationship is with God in prayer. Built on faith, moved with gratitude, prayer is a lifeline of never being alone. Our second relationship is with the self. With faith and trust in the love of Jesus, we learn to love ourselves with confidence and positive self-regard. This love is the fruit of the Resurrection of Jesus. Divine love raised him to eternal glory. The same love the Father has for Jesus is given to each of us. Despite any hardship we suffer, the love of Christ is constant and secure. Sin is forgiven, mistakes are forgotten, and new life is possible for all who seek it.
Our third relationship is with others and with the world. Through our first two relationships we are secure in the truth and the victory of the Risen Lord. In him, we have power and that power is to be agents of love and compassion for those who suffer. Service and care for others builds hope, strengthens faith, and increases love. This becomes our participation in the Resurrection of Jesus. We learn the rhythms of the Holy Spirit as we perceive the presence of God with us.
We all have sufferings and hurts in this life. We all bear the distress of a dark and sinful world. In the Resurrection of Jesus, our hope is confirmed in the surpassing Light that will overcome every darkness. The victory is won. He is Risen. His Divine glory will one day be ours. Give praise and glory to God this day for the gift and the promise of Jesus risen from the dead. He is alive and through the Holy Spirit, we are alive in him. Bless God with loud cries of gratitude in the joyful hope of our eternal life. Happy Easter!
Father John Esper
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