Homily — Easter Sunday, 2004

Fr. Timothy W. Castor

Today we rejoice in the resurrection of Christ from the dead. And yet, as we join Mary Magdalene, John and Peter at the tomb, it is not a moment of joy, but of confusion, doubt and anxiety. "They have taken the Lord from the tomb," Mary told the disciples (probably with a tone of desperation), "and we don’t know where they put him." The faith of Jesus’ followers was very weak at this moment—and understandably so: they had just witnessed their master die a most horrible death, and their hearts were plunged into grief. And so, while the empty tomb fills our hearts with joy—for Mary, Peter, and John, it was nothing more than a source of bewilderment.

The Gospel tells us that when John went into the tomb "he saw and believed." And some might say, "you see—he did have faith." But St. Augustine points out to us in his commentary on this Gospel that John did not believe in the resurrection at this point; rather he simply believed what Mary had told him, namely that someone had taken Christ’s body from the tomb. How do we know this? Because of the verse that follows: "For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead."

Which Scripture? Why, the very Scriptures which prophesy the Messiah’s death also prophesy his resurrection. Psalm 22, which Jesus quoted from the Cross—"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"—closes with these words: "All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God; all who have gone down into the dust will kneel in homage. And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you." Isaiah 53—the song of the suffering servant which is proclaimed at the Good Friday liturgy—contains these words: "A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, Though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life ... Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days." In addition to these and other prophetic scriptures, Jesus himself—on at least three separate occasions—foretold his own death and resurrection to his disciples. Yet, despite this powerful witness of the Word of God—the written and the living Word of God—Peter and John still did not understand that Christ had to rise from the dead.

Faith would come for the apostles, but only after they saw the Lord face-to-face, touched his wounds, and ate with him. Their faith would grow to the point where they would be able to proclaim his resurrection to thousands, and spread the Gospel throughout the world, as we heard in the bold proclamation of Peter in today’s first reading. For now, however, there is only doubt and confusion. But this raises a valid question: Why was it necessary for Christ to rise from the dead? Does this not, in a sense, nullify his suffering and death? In other words, Christ paid for our sins with his own blood—he gave his life to save us. If he took back his life, that means he’s taken back the payment.

But if this is what we think, then we have completely misunderstood the resurrection. When Jesus rose from the dead, he did not simply regain his old life. It is not like Lazarus who rose and then died again. The resurrection is something altogether new and different. Resurrection life is life on an infinitely higher plane—supernatural life—the life of heaven. Yes, it was his real physical body which rose from the tomb. But it was a body glorified by divine power—a body which can never die again and which lives to give life to us as we receive this Body in Holy Communion.

Our Lord’s suffering and death is real—his glorious resurrection is real; and, far from taking back the price which he paid, it ratifies the New Covenant in his blood. And his resurrection assures, for all who believe, victory over sin and death and the hope of eternal life.

If we do not live to see Christ’s return in glory, every one of us will taste death. But if we die in his friendship, we will also share in his resurrection. And we will be given that new and glorious body—a body incapable of suffering, fatigue, hunger or thirst; a body which will never grow old or weak; a body which will never die.

This is the promise of the empty tomb. And when the disciples came to understand why Christ had to rise from the dead, they passed this promise on to us. Lord, grant that we may always live in this faith, and face death with the hope of new life as we pass on to others the message of resurrection. Alleluia, Christ is risen; he is risen indeed, alleluia!

© 2004, The Rev. Timothy W. Castor