From Death to Life
April 26, 2009
Gospel: Luke 24:35-48
A family was driving home from mass on Easter Sunday. There was Mom, Dad, a boy about 12 and a girl about 6. The boy asked his parents if they knew the first thing that Jesus said when he walked out of the tomb after the resurrection. Mom said, “Wow, what a great question. I have no idea.” Dad said, “I don’t know either, but let’s turn back and ask Fr. Zamora – he will know.” So, they went back and asked Fr. Zamora but he did not know. Then they asked Fr. Tim and Fr. Theo and Fr. John and they did not know either. Then they asked the deacons, but they did not know. Even Msgr. Badia had no idea what the first thing was that Jesus said when he came out of the tomb.
Finally, seeing all of these grown-ups scratching their heads trying to think of an answer, the six-year old girl said, “I know – I know the first thing that Jesus said when he came out of the tomb.” They all looked at her and her big brother said, “OK smarty pants, what was it?” She smiled and said, “Ta-da!”
Today’s gospel is all about a “ta-da” moment. It is still Easter night, and the apostles are hiding in a locked room because they were afraid. They had seen Jesus die - and had heard that his tomb was now empty- but they did not understand what had happened.
Two men joined them who had seen the risen Jesus earlier in the day. At first, they had not recognized him. But later, when he had supper with them, they did. Now they are telling the apostles about their experience.
Suddenly, Jesus is in the room with them. Ta-da! How did he get there? Did he walk through a locked door? Did he suddenly materialize? We do not know – and it does not matter.
What we do know is that the disciples were terrified – they were scared to death. They thought they were seeing a ghost.
Jesus had to convince them that he was really there. He had them touch his hands and feet and examine where the nails had been. He even had them give him something to eat to prove that he was not a ghost – because ghosts do not eat.
Then he began to explain the scriptures to them – especially the ones that said that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. They had been with him in life and had witnessed his death. Now they were experiencing his resurrection.
He told them to go out and tell his story to the world – a story of repentance and forgiveness of sins for all people.
These disciples – who had locked themselves in a hidden room because they were so afraid – were transformed – they were changed. They were no longer afraid. They went into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching publicly about Jesus and the great things that had happened. From Jerusalem, they went out to the world.
These disciples are the best evidence we have that Jesus rose from the dead. If anyone ever tells you that the story of the resurrection of Jesus is not true – tell them about these disciples. Tell them how they were transformed after they saw Jesus – how they had been scared to death – but after seeing that Jesus had really risen from the dead - they were no longer afraid.
We must never be afraid to show the world that we are followers of the risen Jesus. I have a niece, who is now married. When she was a little girl, and preparing for her first communion, she would say a prayer before every meal. She even did it in school before she ate her lunch. Some of other kids noticed this and began to tease her and laugh at her. Even a teacher told her that she would have to say her prayer silently. She continued to pray – out loud. She was a brave little girl because she was not afraid to pray – even when others laughed at her and told her not to.
We must never be afraid to tell the world about Jesus. We must never be afraid to act the way He wants us to. We must never be afraid to ask forgiveness when we hurt God or someone else - and, we must never be afraid to forgive others who hurt us.
Jesus rose from the dead – and because of that we must never be afraid.