EASTER HOMILY
This morning, we gather to celebrate the profound gift of hope that flows from our faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis has declared 2025 a Jubilee Year of Hope—a time for us to reflect deeply on the Gospel message that calls us to be messengers of hope in a world often burdened by despair.
Easter embodies this great feast of hope, reminding us that our God is constantly at work, even in the darkest moments of our lives. Amidst the challenges we face—be it in our world, our country, our church, or our personal struggles—there is a powerful truth we must remember: the essence of Easter is that God brings forth new life from loss and despair. Through the resurrection of His Son, God has poured out His love upon us, inspiring us to rise up in hope. As Saint Paul assures us, “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” This Spirit ignites in us a lasting flame of hope!
Yet, if we turn to the Gospel reading, we find that even the first disciples struggled to grasp this truth. Mary and the other women worried about who would remove the stone at the tomb’s entrance. When they arrived, they discovered that the stone had already been removed. When Mary Magdalene approached the empty tomb, she was overwhelmed with confusion and fear—her immediate assumption was that Jesus’ body had been taken. The resurrection, something so extraordinary, was difficult for them to understand. It transformed the tomb—a symbol of death—into a womb of new life, but this revelation did not dawn on them immediately. They were slow to embrace the hope that Easter offers.
Mary’s encounter with the empty tomb prompted her to run to Simon Peter and the beloved disciple. Their urgency reflected deep anxiety; they were grappling with the loss of their beloved Lord. In that moment, they could have felt utterly hopeless. However, upon reaching the tomb, it was the beloved disciple who perceived the significance of the empty space before him. “He saw and believed.” His eyes, guided by faith, enabled him to recognise that something incredible had taken place: Jesus was alive! The sight of the empty tomb became a powerful invitation for him to embrace the hope that was now possible through Christ.
Friends, we are also called to look at life through the lens of hope, as the beloved disciple did. In our own “Calvary moments,” when despair seems overwhelming, we must remember that God is in the business of bringing forth life from death and igniting hope from hopelessness. The resurrection assures us that love is stronger than death, and that God’s love will not be confined to the tomb—His love breaks free and invites us to partake in that same new life.
Today, as we contemplate Mary Magdalene’s question, “Where is the body of Jesus?” let us also ponder where the risen Lord can be found in our lives today. He is present wherever hope is actively shared, the vulnerable receive care, and communities unite under Christ’s love. We find Him in the tireless efforts to combat violence and to build a more just and peaceful world.
As we celebrate this Easter, let us rejoice in the living presence of Christ among us. May we be emboldened to carry forth the message of hope into our communities. In doing so, we truly fulfil our calling as gospel witnesses.
Let us give thanks for the hope that Easter brings, and may our hearts be ever open to recognizing the ways God’s Spirit works in our lives.
Rev Jim Noonan OCD
