EASTER AND THE BIRTHDAY OF HOPE

Bishop Paul S. Coakley

“Why do you seek the risen one among the dead?  He is not here.  He has been raised.” (Lk.24:6)  This startling news announced by the angels to Mary Magdalene at the tomb on Easter morning, and proclaimed by the Apostles and countless witnesses throughout the ages summarizes the heart of Christian faith.  “Christ is risen!  Indeed He is truly risen!”

In order to experience this startling proclamation as Good News, however, we have to grasp its meaning for us.  The Easter proclamation is not merely factual information about the fate of Jesus, who had died but who is now alive.  Yes, the Father has truly exalted Jesus by raising him up through the power of the Holy Spirit!  But what is that to us?

Jesus, the Son of God, became man, suffered, died and rose again precisely “for us men and for our salvation”, as we say in the Nicene Creed at Mass.  He died and rose from the dead so that we might be justified in the sight of God and that we might have hope.  But what is our hope?  Because Christ has conquered death in the flesh we have hope that we will share his life in the Spirit.  As Easter celebrates the victory of life, it is truly the birthday of hope. 

Since sin first entered the world the human race had been trapped in a spiral of hopelessness because death ultimately swallowed up all of our hopes and dreams.  But Christ has conquered death in its stronghold.   We have received in Christ a future which stretches beyond the dark veil of death and the ravages of time. Death does not have the last word after all.  Life will not end for us in emptiness.  Now this is Good News indeed!  This Good News has the power to transform us by giving us unshakable hope. 

A person who is losing hope feels their life ebbing away.  Maybe you or I have been that person.  They feel there is no way out of an unsatisfactory situation.  Hope is always restorative.  If a sick or discouraged person discovers something to hope for, they discover a new vitality.   No matter how many times a person might have tried and failed, hope gives that person the courage to try again. 

Even if nothing may have actually changed, when hope blossoms in a human heart, in a marriage, in a parish, or a diocese, everything seems new.  Life is renewed.   Hope is the source of this new life and energy.  It invigorates faith and stimulates love.  The theological virtue of hope has as its object the full possession of new and eternal life in Christ.  Our hope is ultimately for resurrection from the dead on the last day, but our more immediate hope is born of the experience of spiritual resurrection in the small victories over sin, discouragement and fear in our daily lives. 

Our mission is to be witnesses to hope in the world.  We have a beautiful liturgical gesture that reminds us of this during the Easter Vigil.  As we pass lighted candles to one another and illuminate the darkened church with light from the Easter candle, we recognize that our calling is to carry Christ, the light and hope of the world, into to the dark places and despairing hearts still awaiting the liberating message of Christ.  Christ is our hope!  Christ is Risen!  Alleluia!

Published The Register

March 21, 2008