EASTER SUNDAY HOMILY – YEAR B

EASTER SUNDAY HOMILY – YEAR B

THEME; *Easter: The Truth we Witness*

BY: Fr Anthony Chukwuebuka Ohaekwusi

The resurrection of Jesus is the answer to Pilate’s question, What is truth, because Christ was crucified to please the majority, without evidence or witnesses to the truth of His crime. The conspirators did everything to protect this miscarriage of justice, but His resurrection reverses the situation. After all, how can someone be executed without calling witnesses to prove the veracity of what he did? Christ became His own proof because He is the Truth itself.

ALSO RECOMMEMDED: HOMILY FOR EASTER SUNDAY 

During court proceedings, even if the case was known to everyone prima facie, witnesses must be called to testify about what happened and to confirm its truthfulness. This is because although people see things differently, the truth removes any ambiguity about life. The good news of Easter is a celebration of the truth that was lacking in the crucifixion of Christ; truth cannot be suppressed by popular opinion, because the public approval that led to Jesus’ death was based on falsehood and evil, which stand in the way of truth and goodness. Easter is the breaking of these shackles and the assurance that good will always triumph, and truth prevail, even if it is buried by the overwhelming noise of falsehood.

The readings for Easter Sunday tell of witnesses to Christ’s resurrection who proclaimed this truth with passion and without fear. Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter and John were confused when they saw Christ’s empty tomb, because they had never understood the possibility of a resurrection. Their first impression was that someone had taken the body. But it was a learning curve for them, as Jesus gradually built up with them an army of witnesses to prove that He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. These witnesses thought that Jesus’ death was the end, but after meeting His empty tomb, Jesus showed them that their story was just beginning. Later, they personally met the risen Jesus, and their lives changed for the better. Their eyes were opened to the truth of everything he had taught them before his death. They realized that Jesus was not a deceiver, because the truth that had been tested before Pilate was confirmed by his resurrection.

This encounter strengthened their determination to confess the truth of God’s love for humanity, which was ultimately expressed in Christ. This message became their story, their truth, according to which they lived and for which they died, because they saw themselves in it. They became Easter people, just as we are today, because the darkness of falsehood has been emptied, by the truth of Christ’s rising, like the Easter light that dispels every darkness around it. Christ, through His resurrection, used the truth about our humanity to reveal the truth about God. No one became His witness during His trial and death, but His resurrection has made all who encounter Him witnesses to the Truth. As witnesses, we are no longer slaves to our weaknesses, because we have been restored to true life, to seek the truth and live by it. And this truth does not die, even if it is buried.

Remain lifted and do have a great Easter Sunday

FOR SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>