Easter Vigil 2008

When the women come to the tomb on that first Easter day, the last thing that they expect to see is the tomb opened and the body gone. The stone which was placed over the tomb was not done so to stop anyone getting out, but rather to stop anyone getting in. One of the biggest crimes in ancient times was robbery of tombs. Robbers would hope to get a hold of treasured things, money, gold, prized objects that could be sold on. Tombs were sealed and made secure because of people who wanted to get in, they were not sealed to stop people getting out, such a thing had never been heard of.

When the women come to the tomb and see the tomb open the first thing that they think is that people have been here and robbed the tomb and taken the body of Jesus. They think of it as just another humiliation for Jesus. He was crowned with thorns, lashed, crucified on the cross and hastily buried now his body has been stolen. Can there be another humiliation for him. Would he not even be left to rest in the tomb?

But of course another fact comes to mind. He is not here, not because his body has been stolen, but rather because he has risen from the dead. The stone is not removed by robbers but by the power of God. The tomb could not contain him. The stone could not hold back the power of God. Death cannot over power him. He rises victorious from the grave.

In that moment something new has come into existence. A new life, not a life bound by the tomb and the stone which seals its entry. God has created a new life, Adam and Eve are no longer enslaved but set free, we are no longer to die but live. What an amazing gift this is that we receive through baptism, a new life in which we are united to the death and resurrection of Christ. An element which comes out strongly in our Easter Vigil, there is no longer darkness but light, there is no longer death but life, there is no longer despair but hope.

When we look into our world it seems as if there is darkness and hopelessness for many. The cruelty of the conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq. The people who are caught up in the war Darfur. People facing uncertain futures with not enough money. People living on the very edge, a storm comes or a drought comes, or some form of hardship and it tips them over the edge. People who have lost their way in life. People who are afraid of the future. Instead of the bright Easter day they are filled with dread, locked in the tomb with the stone sealed over.

It is for this very reason that our Saviour came into the world. Did he not teach the parable of the Prodigal son? Did he not teach the parable of the Good Samaritan? Did he not cure a blind man, make the lame walk, did he not cure a leprous man, did he not release Lazarus from the tomb ? Did he not wish light in darkness, life rather than death, healing rather than brokenness. Is this not why Christ our Saviour came into the world, to save us?

God does not want us to be locked into the tomb. He does not want human existence to be in darkness. He does not want fear and anxiety. He wants us to know that we are loved and that he wants to make us whole.

Christ our Lord does not remain in the tomb. The tomb cannot hold him in. The stone can not bar his way. Christ our Lord is the holy Son of God. Death can not hold any sway over the one who gives life and is life, he rises from the tomb. Did not his hand create the sun and the moon, the earth and growing things, did not his hand create human beings. Did not his voice speak in Abraham’s heart and make mighty promises to him. This mere stone could not hold back the power of God. God once again proves that light is stronger than darkness, his love greater than hatred, his life greater than death.

Easter is not just a feast but it is our belief, our conviction. We believe that we have a new existence and a new life. There is a new hope in our life. There is a new way to live. With the resurrection everything good is possible.

We are not naïve enough to think that heaven has come on earth and everything is perfect. As St John says “although the light has come into the world men shave shown that they prefer the darkness”. How often that fact has been proven to us.

But there is a new element in human existence , everything to hope in and everything to believe in through the one who has come into the world and who has come from the tomb.

When the women come to the tomb they fear that the body of Jesus has been stolen. There spirits sink. How easy it is to feel that our beliefs and our convictions are stolen away. How sad it is to see young people who have their beliefs stolen away by robbers who leave them with nothing. How sad a thing it is to see that people who once believed, believe only in themselves. How sad a thing it is to see that people who once believe have been robbed by people who promise everything and deliver nothing.

Do not let anyone rob you of Easter joy. The joy of the son of God who triumphs over the grave. The joy of possessing a new life through baptism. The joy of a new outlook and a new purpose in life. Do not let anyone steal this from you. top Comment on this Homily