Editorial: The promise of Easter

Happy Easter. The religious observances taking place today mark the event at the heart of Christian belief.

The scene is described in John 20:1-9: “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!’ “

In Mark 16:5-7, an angel explains what has happened: “As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!’ “

St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:14, emphasizes the importance of Jesus’ Resurrection, writing, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

The lead-up to Christ’s Resurrection is equally important to the story, for it is a practical and powerful example to Christians of the message of the Gospels: that they are to empty themselves in service to others for God, as Jesus did.

Again, St. Paul, in Philippians 2:5-8: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Most of all, Christians believe Easter celebrates Christ’s victory over death, opening the gates of heaven to fallen mankind.

Again, St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 26: “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. … The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

And that is what Christians celebrate today, Jesus’ victory over death for all, rich and poor, sinner and saint alike.

Here is how St. John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople in the late fourth and early fifth centuries, put it in his famous Easter homily: “Come you all: Enter into the joy of your Lord. You the first and you the last, receive alike your reward; you rich and you poor, dance together; you sober and you weaklings, celebrate the day; you who have kept the fast and you who have not, rejoice today. … All of you enjoy the banquet of faith; all of you receive the riches of his goodness.

“Let no one grieve over his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed; let no one weep over his sins, for pardon has shone from the grave; let no one fear death, for the death of our Savior has set us free. … O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are abolished. Christ is risen, and the demons are cast down. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life is freed.”

The promise of new life is evident for all in this season of spring, even at this time of so much tumult and fear in the world around us. May the hope of sunshine be an inspiration to all, and the example of Jesus of the Gospels brighten our world by inspiring the service, sacrifice and love he exemplified by giving of himself so fully.