Fr. Jeff’s Weekly Homily

Easter
April 15/16, 2006

GOSPEL (Vigil): Mark 16:1-7
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee ; there you will see him, as he told you.’”

A mother and her young son, visiting a modern art museum, stood in front of a colorful abstract painting. “What’s that?” he asked. His mother decided to give an answer he could relate to. “That’s supposed to be a boy playing a video game.” Her son thought a moment and asked again, “If that’s what it’s supposed to be, why isn’t it?”

Have you ever felt somewhat like that confused little boy when you hear Christ conquered sin and evil forever?

Did you hear Fr. Kaz proclaim our Easter? The music is solemn; but the words are ecstatic:

Rejoice, o earth, in shining splendor,
Radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes forever!

Oh this is the joy of liberation! This is the joy of sheer victory! This is the joy of overcoming death! This is Fr. Kaz when he was 24 years old experiencing the liberation of Poland from the Communists. This is the joy of winning the National Championship in basketball. This is the joy of coming into full Communion in the Church the Apostles left behind. This is the joy of knowing that the gate to our infinite future can never again be closed against us, leaving us blocked in the hell of our own human limitations.

How can anyone be lax and resigned?

How can anyone struggle thru life as if we expect to lose but we externally wished to put off the defeat like a basketball team committing fouls at the end of a game?

How can anyone so stingily offer up in Christ’s service minimum time and small bills as though we were too insecure to risk our whole life, all our strength and the last drop of our heart’s blood for His mission?

All animals are anxious for their lives. But human beings are the only creatures who manufacture reasons to be anxious. We manufacture reasons to be anxious and then we addict ourselves to distractions from our insecurities. Focusing on problems only binds us in frustrating chains of negativity; with the Risen Jesus Christ, we can focus on solutions, we can envision the future, we have hope in every situation; we can never sink so low he will not extend his hand to pull us up. Do not be afraid. Call him when you are anxious or in real trouble. He is close.

There is a story—maybe I shouldn’t tell it--that one day Jesus ran into Joseph’s carpentry shop and said, “what do you want?” Joseph said, “I didn’t call you; I just hit my thumb with the hammer.” Smile, experience the joy; we don’t have to be afraid; we are not alone. He is with us like the day’s light and the air we do not notice. We are known and loved. He gives himself to us intimately in the Holy Eucharist. The victory is won; he brings light where there is darkness, hope where there is despair, courage where there is weakness. Do not be afraid! Rejoice!

Rejoice, o earth, in shining splendor,
Radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes forever!

Fr. Jeff McGowan
Queen of Peace Catholic Community
Gainesville, Florida