Homily For Easter Sunday, Year A.

“THE STONE IS ROLLED AWAY: WE ARE SAVED!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide

·       We have come to the high point of our faith. The events of this week have brought us mixed feelings and uncertainties. A lot of us have dwelt in doubt, especially after experiencing or watching the gruesome way the Son of God was killed for our sake.

·       The death of Jesus really cast doubts on our minds about whether he is truly God. If yes, must he die the way he died so that we might be saved? Through the death of Jesus on the cross, he showed us that there is no gain without pain. And it is to show us the extent of his love for us that he had to die the most SHAMEFUL death so that we can be GRACEFUL.

·       Dearly beloved in Christ, the death of Jesus is sacrificial, the death of Jesus is redemptive, there is nothing suicidal about it. Those who commit do not resurrect, but died for our sake, and God raised him.

·       Dear friends in Christ, today is indeed a day of great joy because even though Jesus had to die that we might live, death could not hold him captive. And because he has risen as he said, our faith comes alive, our hope comes alive. Because what would become of our faith had Jesus not risen from the dead?

·        Dearly beloved in Christ, we celebrate the rising of Jesus from the dead as he promised. Our joy knows no bounds; the gloomy look on our faces at the beginning of this solemn mass is brightened by the certainty that Jesus is RISEN. We see the quick switch from a sober celebration to a joyful celebration. And that is the definition of our Christian faith.

·       Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God showed us his mighty power over life and death. Despite the conspiracy to set guard over Jesus’ tomb, he broke the chains of death, and the stone has been rolled away!

·       Our Christianity would have been a mere joke had Jesus not risen from the dead. The mockery, the persecution and affronts would have been more had Jesus not risen. We thank God that because he lives, we can face tomorrow.

·       We must not forget that Jesus paid the ultimate price for your sin; he died that you might live. His shameful death on the cross was for you. Hence, we must decide to let our lives of sin be crucified on the cross with him, with a firm resolve not to crucify him the second time.

·       The stone has been rolled, and Christ is truly risen! The stone here represents an obstacle to prevent Jesus from rising from the dead. We, too, as Christians, have various stones laid on us to prevent us from living fully.

·       Because Jesus is risen from the dead:

-        May every stone in your life be rolled away, Amen!

-        May every obstacle in your life be lifted, Amen!

-        May any stone over your marriage be rolled away, Amen!

-        May every stone of childlessness rolled away, Amen!

-        May every stone of sickness in your life be rolled away, Amen!

-        May every stone recession be lifted in your life, Amen!

·       Because Christ is risen, Christians must rise and shine, for our light has come. We must now continue to live as children of light and shun all that will dim the light of Christ in us.

·       Do not be afraid, Jesus has paid the price for you. Rejoice because we are a new creation, we are an alleluia people, and alleluia shall be our song of victory. May the Joy of the risen Lord remain with you and your household, now and forever, Amen!

·       Happy Easter!!!