HOMILY OF EASTER TUESDAY YEAR A
Acts 2:36-41, John 20:11-18
THEME: BLIND LOVE: THE DRAMA AT THE TOMB OF JESUS
If we die with him, we will rise with him. The resurrected Lord was invisible. He became visible to those who long for him or those who keep him in their thoughts.
When we fix our mind on our problems, we may be blind to the way out of them. This is because the mind cannot see clearly if it is covered with negativity. Amidst our struggles, we need to work towards maintaining a calm spirit so that we can find the best ways to sort ourselves out.
Moreso, in our act of soul searching, Jesus will surely make himself visible to all who believe in him and make themselves available to him because he is now a living spirit. He would say, “Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed” (John 20:29). Moreover, to those believe, no proof is required.
At the tomb, Mary could not recognize him until he made himself visible to her. She thought he was the gardener. She fixed her mind on the empty tomb, not knowing that the Lord was standing near by. Her tears prevented her from seeing Jesus. Mary was a typical example of someone who has fallen in love. Love, some say, is blind. Mary was so full of her affection for Jesus, that she forgot so soon all that the scripture said about him. She wanted to cling to the Lord, not knowing that it is no long game as usual.
We must avoid possessiveness in our relationship with others. Jesus made a point to us when he told Mary, “Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Having recognized him, Mary began to cling to him. He told her bluntly that her love for him should not break the divine protocol. He needs to go to his Father; the Father of all. He is not meant for her alone, but also for others.
At times, if we do not watch our affection for others, we may not allow them to grow or achieve their live purpose. Baby love or immature love will always want the loved one to be close irrespective of his or her responsibilities. Left to a child, he or she would prefer the mother to stay with him or her all the time. A child may not know that the parents need to go out there to work to fend for the whole family. We can look beyond what we feel. We can channel our affection appropriately.
Above all, Jesus died for the whole world. He is the truth; we cannot claim exclusive rights over him. He makes himself visible to all who love or make themselves available to him and agents of truth. Let us introduce Jesus to others. Let us consider others in whatever we do.
May the light of Christ shine upon us that we may see clearly what his will hold for us. Amen.
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