Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Easter

April 20, 2025, John 20:1-9

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042025.cfm

Who Will Fill My 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 walked with Mary to the tomb of Jesus in my adoration this morning. What a shock for her and the disciples to find the tomb empty. I can hear their thoughts, “What are we going to do now?” First, Jesus is dead, and now his body is missing.

As we celebrate Easter, I can’t help but think of all the empty tombs around us this morning. These empty tombs are not just physical graves, but also the emptiness in our hearts and lives. I think of the emptiness of the widow and widower who have 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 refugees who can’t speak the language and have nothing in their pockets 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. Please consider the people we serve in Pinellas Hope, Venezuela, and the Catholic Ministry Appeal. All these people run with Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John to their empty tombs?  

You and I are running, of course. Bearing Jesus in our hearts, we do not fear going down into those empty tombs 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 Jesus did the heavy work. As Mary Magdalene discovered, the stone blocking Jesus’ tomb was rolled away.

Whatever we must tackle, don’t go alone. Take Jesus with you. Let Him roll away your stones. Listen to Paul in the Colossians: Think of what is above, not of 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 repeatedly, “Jesus, I surrender myself to you; take care of everything,” and He will. He resolves the most difficult situations in the most amazing way.

The only thing left in the empty tomb of Jesus was the wrappings they used to bury His Body. When we investigate the empty tombs of people we served and our empty tomb, please God, all that we will see are memories to be forgotten—no more empty cupboards. No more worry or sleepless nights. Even a heavy heart can find solace in our friendship.

Go with Mary Magdalene just as you find yourself at this moment. What is exciting for us is that we know the tomb is empty. So, where is Jesus? Like Mary, Peter, and John, you may be surprised where you find Him – Right in the middle of what you are going through.

Like Mary, you may not recognize Him right away. That’s ok. The important thing is that He is with you.

May the peace and hope of our Risen Lord Jesus be with you all. Happy Easter.  

Peace be with you, everyone, and Happy Easter.

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC 

 www.bscchurch.com