EASTER SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 20 :1-9, APRIL 9, 2023
1. STORY
One day three ten-year-old children
attempted to walk across a river on exposed rocks. While in the middle of the river, the water
suddenly rose and they were trapped and not able to return to shore. They cried for help knowing that their lives
were in danger. The police and firemen
immediately responded to their call for help and rescued the children. Their parents were overjoyed with their rescue
and thankful to the police and fireman for their bravery and help. The children first experienced fear and then
joy.
2. GOSPEL
A) THE SORROW AT THE TOMB
With great sorrow in her heart, Mary
of Magdala went to the tomb early on Sunday morning. She was shocked to find the tomb empty and at
a loss to where the body could be. She
immediately informed Peter and the beloved disciple, and they came running to
the tomb. After looking in the empty
tomb, Peter too was puzzled as to what happened to Jesus’ body. They were deeply saddened.
B) THE BELOVED DISCIPLE SAW AND BELIEVED
When the beloved disciple saw the burial
cloth there and the head cloth rolled up in a separate place, he knew that the
body had not been stolen. He knew and
believed that Jesus had been risen from the dead as he had said so often. He was the first believer in the resurrection
of Christ from the dead. He believed
that Jesus was alive. His heart was full
of joy.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) MANY DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE
RESURRECTION
Today many scoff at the idea there is
life after death. Many do not believe
that Jesus rose from the dead. They believe
that at death our life comes to an end. There
is nothing that follows. It is wishful
thinking based on ignorance or superstition to think there is an afterlife.
B) WE MUST BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION
We believe that Jesus rose from the
dead. We believe that we, who are his
disciples, will also rise to a life of eternal happiness with him. This belief
makes it possible for us to live a life of joy, peace, and happiness while on
earth. Easter is for us a day of
celebration knowing that Jesus has given us the gift of eternal life. Our hearts are full of joy.
4. CONCLUSION
Just as the three children were full
of joy having been rescued from the middle of the river, so were the disciples
full of joy knowing that Jesus truly was alive; he truly went from death to
life. We are full of Easter joy knowing
that Jesus is alive, and we share in his eternal life. We believe that death is
just a change and not the end of life. Because
Jesus has been raised, we will rise from the dead to live a life of eternal
happiness.
