HOMILY FOR EASTER VIGIL YEAR B (5)

HOMILY FOR EASTER VIGIL YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: THE EMPTY TOMB, OUR GREAT HOPE

BY: Rev Fr Joseph Nyarko Asare

HOMILY:

(Gen 1:1-2:2/Ps 104/Gen 22:1-18/Ps 16/Ex 14:15-15:1/Ps: Ex 15/Is 54:5-14/Ps 30/Is 55:1-11/Ps: Is 12/Bar 3:9-15,32-4:4/Ps 19:8-11/ Ez 36:16-28/Ps 42/Rom 6:3-11/Ps 118/Mk 16:1-8)

God created us and all that exists. He endowed us with freedom, joy, knowledge, eternal life, and friendship with God. Our fall, enslavement in both body and spirit, exile from spiritual heritage and physical locations are distortions of God’s nature and purpose for humanity.

In history, God made several attempts to correct defects and negate the evils brought upon humankind either by ourselves or from others. Whenever man cooperated with God’s plan, there were joy and liberation for humankind. Disobedience meant continuous disaster for human beings.

The Paschal mystery is very unique in God’s dealings with humanity. God chose an unfamiliar path, embraced very few, humble personalities from low background to step into history. And, without seeking support, Jesus took the greatest battle of man, defeated sin and Satan and liberated all for God. He promised that he will save us and get back to life.

This, he did. The confused disciples needed the disappointment at the tomb. Jesus was alive and the grave could not become our stopping grounds. We had to follow Jesus to eternity and not to death.

The empty tomb tells us to focus on life eternal. Christ victory over death must change our mindset. We no more live to prepare for death. By his resurrection, we live to prepare for eternity. By his cross and resurrection, Jesus has set us free to live forever.

PRAYER POINTS
~We thank God for dying to save us ~That our faith will be firm and strong
~For the grace to prepare for eternity

(Rev Fr Joseph Nyarko Asare of the Catholic Diocese of Obuasi)