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Editor’s Note: The following is Bishop James F. Checchio’s homily, which he delivered at the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, and at Mass on Easter Sunday at Our Lady of the Mount Virgin Church, Middlesex.
Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life!” And, my brothers and sisters in Christ, how we need the light of life this year!
As you well know, our great Easter Vigil begins each year in darkness, in a dark Church, as we await the light of the risen Christ to fill our Church and our lives. We know that night can be a time of silence, darkness, aloneness. It can also be a place of fear and danger. The Prophet Isaiah tells us: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.” (Is 9:1) Yes, Easter proclaims that Christ, the Light of the world, is truly risen. That fact of faith, that belief, that claim is proclaimed and celebrated on this holy day. God, the eternal creator, who took on human flesh, became totally vulnerable, was crucified, died, was buried, but now rose from the dead to set us free from everything associated with darkness, and to rescue us, to save us.
When Jesus rose from the dead two millennia ago, a whole new world arose, a new value system rose with Him, a new way of being a human person, a human community was created anew and we now had the possibility of eternal life with Him. While the pandemic of this past year is a crisis that has certainly caused pain, suffering, and isolation, Christ’s resurrection gives us the gift of light, new joy and new life. From the darkness we have all experienced this past year, His resurrection is our hope. The light of Easter becomes a light in our hearts that helps us overcome the recent difficulties and reminds us that we are never alone. Christ sacrificed Himself so that we can have light to witness His glory and strengthen faith in our world.
In the midst of this darkened, pandemic year, this Easter we need to make more room for the saving risen Lord Jesus Christ in our lives. We need to make more room for God in our lives, in our hearts, in our families, in our parishes and diocese, in our communities. It might be hard to believe at times but we have to believe it. The tomb is empty, and Jesus rose from the dead; God really, truly unconditionally loves us. He even forgave those who put Him to death and assured the thief that he would be with Him that day in paradise. Imagine what God wants to say to us, today, risen from the dead. What does He desire to speak to your heart?
Indeed, God looks for us even if we are hiding, even if we are trying to ignore Him; He looks for us. And the more we run into the darkness from Him because of doubt, anger, fear, an old resentment, ignorance, whatever, the more He refuses to let go of us. That’s what happened at Easter so long ago; that’s what happens again this Easter. My brothers and sisters in Christ, we really need Easter to help us particularly during this time of strife. We are not on our own or left with only a worldly response. Jesus is risen, truly, and His light desires to fill our lives, our hearts, our families, and our Church with His love.
So, let us rejoice in His resurrection. Let us be reminded that Mary rejoices in His resurrection with us and she is always close by Him and with us too. Let us celebrate all the blessings Easter brings us and to always believe in the Good News, making more room in our lives for Him through our prayer and our participation in the Eucharist. Jesus desires to fill us with the light of His love and His mercy, and we are asked to share that light with all those we encounter each day with our words and our actions, by how we live our lives. My prayers are with you and your families this Easter. I ask you to please remember me in your Easter prayers too. God bless you all and Happy Easter.