First Reading - Genesis 1:1-2:2
Second Reading - Genesis 22:1-18
Third Reading - Exodus 14:15-15:1
Fourth Reading - Ezekiel 36:16-17,18-28
Fifth Reading - Romans 6:3-11
Gospel - Matthew 28:1-10
Teaching, preaching, and healing were the ministries of Jesus Christ. Today, on this great feast of Easter, we are invited to enter into the heart of His mission—the victory of life over death—and to live as witnesses of His Resurrection in our daily lives.
A lady once wrote to a Q&A column, confused because her preacher claimed that Jesus did not truly die, but only fainted on the cross. The reply she received was sharp and clear: if someone were scourged, crucified, pierced, and left in a tomb, there would be no question of survival. The point is simple and powerful—Jesus truly died, and He truly rose again. This is the foundation of our faith. Easter is not a symbol or a metaphor; it is the proclamation of a real event that changed the course of history and continues to transform our lives.
The readings of this sacred night lead us step by step through God’s saving plan. In the first reading from the Book of Book of Genesis, we are reminded that God is the Creator of all. Everything begins in His love. Human beings are created in His image and likeness, precious in His sight, entrusted with dignity and responsibility. This reminds us that our life has value and purpose.
The story of Abraham shows us what true faith looks like. He is willing to offer everything to God, trusting completely in Him. Yet God provides a substitute, sparing his son. This moment points forward to Christ, who becomes the true sacrifice for us. What Abraham was not asked to complete, God Himself fulfills in giving His own Son for our salvation.
In the account of the Exodus, we see God leading His people from slavery to freedom through the waters of the Red Sea. This is not just history—it is a sign of what God does for us. Through the waters of Baptism, we pass from sin to grace, from death to new life.
The prophecy of Ezekiel speaks of a new heart and a new spirit. God promises not only to forgive but to transform us from within. This promise is fulfilled in Christ, who renews us through His Resurrection.
In the second reading, Paul the Apostle explains this mystery clearly: in Baptism, we are united with Christ in His death and raised with Him to new life. This means that Easter is not only about Jesus—it is about us. We are called to die to sin and to live a new life of grace.
Finally, in the Gospel, we hear the joyful proclamation of Easter: the tomb is empty. The women who come to mourn instead encounter the message of hope—“He is not here; He has risen.” They meet the Risen Lord Himself and are sent to share the Good News. Fear is turned into joy, sorrow into hope, and death into life.
Dear friends, these readings are not just stories of the past; they are the story of our lives. God created us, calls us to trust Him, frees us from sin, transforms our hearts, and gives us new life in Christ.
Through Baptism, we have already been given a share in this new life. But this gift must be nurtured—through prayer, through the Word of God, through the Eucharist, and through lives of love and service.
The Resurrection of Jesus is the center of our faith. It assures us that no darkness is too great, no sin too powerful, and no situation too hopeless for God. With Him, there is always the possibility of a new beginning.
The Resurrection also reminds us of the dignity of every human person. If Christ gave His life for each one of us, then every person is precious in God’s eyes. We are called to treat one another with love, respect, and compassion, recognizing God’s image in everyone.
Easter is not just something to celebrate—it is something to live. We are called to proclaim Christ not only with our words but with our lives. Let our lives reflect the joy, the hope, and the new life that come from the Risen Lord.
Christ is risen! Let us rise with Him—into a life of faith, of love, and of mission.
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