Easter Sunday April 9, 2023

Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Easter Sunday, Aprilv9, 2023
John 20:1-9 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040923.cfm

Easter – Who Will Fill Their Emptiness?

Peace be with you, my friends, and to all, you love and cherish. Welcome to our Easter Celebration of our Risen Lord Jesus. Happy Easter!

I can’t help but think of all the empty tombs around us this Easter morning. I think of the emptiness of the widow and widower who just lost a spouse. I think of the parents who open the cupboard and the fridge and have nothing to feed the family. I think of the immigrant who comes here from Ukraine, running away from utter terror. Where do they start? They can’t speak the language and have nothing in their pocket to get something to eat.

Think of the neglected child and the single parent whose heart is empty but must keep struggling to care for their children. Think of Pinellas Hope, Venezuela, and Catholic Ministry Appeal. Who runs with Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John to these empty tombs?

You and I are running, of course. We do not fear entering those empty places in ourselves and others. The Risen Jesus, the victor over everyone’s death, is waiting to rise from our nothingness, failures, dead ends, and empty cupboards. We must run into that empty tomb of people we know who need our ministry. If we don’t, there may never be a resurrection for them.

What about us? We have burdens and problems only the Lord can manage. The great thing is that He has done all the heavy work. As Mary Magdelene discovered, the large stone wasn’t blocking the tomb.

Whatever we must tackle, don’t go it alone. Take Jesus with you.

Listen to Paul in the Colossians: Think of what is above, not what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Did you hear that? Our life is hidden with Christ. He is our protection. When we leave our affairs with Him, everything will be peaceful. Pray over and over, “Jesus, I surrender myself to you; take care of everything,” and He will. He resolves the most difficult situations in the most amazing way.

All the women saw in the empty tomb of Jesus were the wrappings they used to bury the Body of Jesus. When we investigate the empty tombs of people we serve and our empty tombs, please God, all we will see are memories we can forget. No more empty cupboards. No more worry and sleepless nights.

Peace be with you, everyone, and Happy Easter.

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com

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