Easter Sunday is a celebration of Jesus’ victory over death after his crucifixion and burial. It is a celebration because it resonates our own forthcoming victory over earthly trials and sufferings, as we journey into eternal life in the heavenly realm. This is our faith. This is the foundation of Christianity. This is what St Paul proclaimed to our island in the sun “Now that we have been united with him in his death (by renouncing sin), we will certainly be also united with him in his resurrection. (Romans 6:5) For “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4)

If Christ had not been raised, then our faith is without substance. Similarly, if Christ has not risen in us, in the very core of our mind, heart and soul, then our faith is still unyielding to the promptings of the Divine Love.

When he rose from the dead, he made many appearances. One of the appearances of the resurrection was a week after when the apostles, except for Thomas, had seen our blessed Lord. The apostles, after much evidence and much doubting, had now become convinced beyond any trace of doubt. “We have seen the Lord” they told Thomas, but they failed to persuade him. He said “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25)

Our blessed Lord appears, speaks to Thomas,” “Peace be with you Thomas, here are my hands, let me have your finger, let me have thy hand to put in my side, cease your doubting and believe.” And Thomas fell on his knees and said to his blessed savior “Though are my Lord and my God.”  To which Jesus replied “Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (John 20:26-29)

It is the same with us. Like Thomas we demand full evidence of sensible proof. Like Thomas we doubt and question the validity of endless testimony by our brothers and sisters who have experienced martyrdom to profess their faith.  Like Thomas, we question the written Word of God that has survived generations. We will not believe before experiencing a personal encounter with the risen Christ. We search for the risen Christ till we find that he is nowhere else but in the upper room, waiting for us in the Blessed Eucharist, looking at us through the eyes of the good shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep  and with full compassion says “I have come that you may have life… and life to the full” (John 10:10) “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him, should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

This is the meaning of Easter. Where together with Paul we proclaim “Now that I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20) To live the risen Christ is to renounce sin, to burst the doors of our heart to him alone, to abandon this culture of death which enslaves the flesh and chocks our divine calling.  To celebrate Easter is to stand in awe and silence before God and let the outpouring of His Spirit consume all our desires. A Happy Easter to all.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE TIMES ( EVE OF EASTER SUNDAY 2011 – AUTHOR GORDON P VASSALLO)