Throughout the world, Christians gather to celebrate the Resurrection, the very heart of our faith. This week has been one of profound intensity, as we have retraced the key moments of Jesus’ final days—a journey that began in Bethlehem and reached its fulfillment in Jerusalem.
At the Annunciation, the angel declared to Mary, “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.” At Easter, we hear another angelic proclamation, this time to the women at the tomb: “He is not here, for He has been raised, just as He said.”
These words encapsulate the heart of our faith, the core of our hope, and the source of our joy. They remind us that Christ’s victory is not just a distant event but a living reality. His Resurrection transforms our lives, calling us to embrace His love, reflect His renewal, and share the hope of eternal life with all the world.
The Tomb is Empty: “He is not here.” The tomb, meant to seal the defeat of Jesus, stands empty. Humanity often associates tombs with endings—finality, loss, and despair. But here, in the silence of the garden, the empty tomb declares victory. The Resurrection transforms death from an end into a beginning, from despair into hope. Christ’s triumph over death is not just His, but ours, too. Through Him, we are no longer bound by the grave but lifted into the promise of eternal life – a triumph over death!
“He is Not Here”: “He is not here.” The angel’s proclamation reminds us that Jesus is no longer confined to a tomb, a place of sorrow because He is risen, alive, and present where life is flourishing. Easter calls us to go beyond—beyond the places of our grief, fear, and doubt. If we continue searching for Christ in the tombs of our past or in the shadows of our brokenness, we will not find Him there. Instead, we are called to seek Him in the living: in acts of love, forgiveness, and renewal – a call to go beyond!
Encountering the Risen Christ: “He is not here.” Realising that Jesus is alive, the women at the tomb became messengers of the Resurrection. They were sent to proclaim the good news to the disciples. Their encounter with the risen Christ transformed their fear into courage and their mourning into joy. Today, we, too, are called to be witnesses of the Resurrection. Our lives must echo the angel’s proclamation, showing others through our words and deeds that Christ is alive among us – a call to mission!
The Mission Continues: “He is not here.” These words remind us that the story does not end at the tomb. The Resurrection is not just a historical event—it is a living reality that continues in us. Jesus’ rising is an invitation to rise as well: to rise above sin, to rise into God’s grace, to rise as a community of faith that lives out His love in the world – stand up, stand out, make a difference!
The resurrection is more than a historical milestone; it is a profound, transformative event that calls us to renewal. It serves as an invitation to reflect, repent, and embrace change in our lives. This journey begins with the solemn reminder of Ash Wednesday: “Repent and believe in the gospel.” These words set the tone for a spiritual path of introspection and growth. The culmination of this journey is not merely a ritual but a deeply transformed life, rooted in faith and purpose.
This Easter, let the empty tomb inspire you with the promise of renewal and the fullness of life. The angel’s proclamation, “He is not here,” echoes through time, reminding us that Christ is alive within us. He calls us to a mission of love, service, and spreading hope to the world.
