First Reading - Acts 10:34,37-43
Second Reading - Colossians 3:1-4
Gospel - John 20:1-9
A Sunday school teacher once asked her students what Jesus might have said when He rose from the tomb. One child shouted, “Ta-da!” Another joked about being hungry after three days. And when asked why Jesus appeared first to women, a quick reply came: “Because He wanted the news to spread fast!” These answers make us smile, but they also remind us of something important—the Resurrection is Good News meant to be shared. The women were the first messengers, but now that mission belongs to all of us.
In the Gospel, we encounter the empty tomb and the figure of the beloved disciple, traditionally understood as John the Apostle. His journey reveals the true meaning of Easter. Once, he was ambitious, seeking prominence and recognition. But now, we see a transformed man—humble and respectful. Though he reaches the tomb first, he allows Simon Peter to enter ahead of him. The one who once desired greatness now embraces humility. This is what the Resurrection does—it transforms hearts.
In the second reading, Paul reminds us: “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above.” Easter is not just about believing that Jesus is risen; it is about living a new life. It calls us to move away from selfish ambition, pride, and worldly attachments, and to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God.
The Gospel also tells us that the beloved disciple “saw and believed.” This is the heart of faith. He did not yet see the Risen Jesus, but he believed based on what he saw—the empty tomb. Faith often begins this way: trusting even when we do not fully understand.
We, too, encounter the Risen Christ—not only in extraordinary ways, but especially in the Eucharist, in the Word of God, and in the ordinary moments of life. The question is: do we truly believe? Do we recognize His presence?
In the first reading, Peter the Apostle boldly proclaims that Jesus is risen and that all who believe in Him receive forgiveness of sins. This is the core of our faith—the gift of new life and salvation.
Dear friends, Easter is not just a celebration—it is a call to transformation. Lent gave us the opportunity to examine our lives, to let go of sin, and to grow closer to God. But now comes the real question: have we changed? Have we allowed Christ to transform us?
Like John, we are called to move from ambition to humility, from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. Like the apostles, we are called to proclaim the Resurrection through our lives. Like the first witnesses, we are called to share the Good News with joy and conviction.
Faith is a gift given to us in Baptism, but it must be nurtured. It grows through prayer, through the sacraments, through reflection on God’s Word, and through acts of love and service.
Easter is not just a day—it is a way of life. It is a call to rise with Christ every day, to leave behind what is sinful and embrace what leads to life.
May God grant us the grace to be truly transformed by the Resurrection, to grow in sincere and living faith, and to become joyful witnesses of the Risen Lord in the world.
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