18/04/2025

Easter Sunday Vigil

“Why seek the living among the dead? He is not here, he has risen.”

Whenever someone I know well dies – and as I get older this is an increasingly common occurrence -  I have learned to assuage my grief with hope. My loss is their gain. They  are now risen to new life with God. Rather than grieving, I am tempted to be  envious!

According to Luke – the author of today’s Gospel - the female followers of Jesus were the first to discover that Jesus was no longer dead. But alive. Resurrected.

To Peter – not the sharpest knife in the kitchen as we discovered in Matthew 16:23 and Mark 8:33, “get behind me Satan” - when Jesus rebukes Peter for having a human, rather than a divine, perspective on Jesus's impending suffering and death – the Resurrection seemed impossible. 

It still does, for all too many even nowadays, who see the death of their friends  - including their family - as the end of life, rather than  a transition to something far greater.

In the Orthodox Church – and in an increasing number of Roman catholic congregation’s today’s greeting is , in Greek,” Khristos Anesti”, "Christ is risen". The customary response is, “Alithos Anesti" Truly, He is risen.

As we end mass, I will declare, “Khristos Anesti”.Will you affirm your belief and hope with your “Alithos Anesti.” ?

As my memory is fading, I will take a look at my homily and be able to announce, “Khristos Anesti” – before wishing you a delightful Eastertide.