Homily: Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter (Jn. 20:11-18) “Why Do I Believe?”

How do we know that the Resurrection of Jesus is true? We really have no absolute proof. The absolute proof would be if Jesus appeared to each one of us saying he was alive. Concrete proof might be to go the tomb outside Jerusalem to see that the grave of Jesus is empty.

Some of us might get the opportunity to do that someday. But most of us will never make that journey. Even if we did how would we know that someone didn’t steal Jesus’ body 2,000 years ago? How would we know that we were looking at the right grave? What proof do we have?

In a court of law, we have what we call direct evidence and then we have what we call circumstantial evidence. Direct proof would be things like camera footage of someone who is engaged in a certain action. We see them with our own eyes. Other direct evidence might be a written confession of the person committing a crime.

Courts of law also recognize circumstantial evidence. If there is enough circumstantial evidence, then a judge can say there is enough proof to render a decision. Most of the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is what we would label circumstantial. The main evidence is the testimony of the disciples of Jesus.

We read about the first witness to the resurrection today. Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the risen Jesus according to the Gospel of John. She is the friend of Jesus who won’t leave his grave.

Many Scripture scholars have pointed out that if you were going to make up a story about the resurrection of Jesus the last person you would pick out as a witness in first century Palestine was a woman. The society Jesus lived in was very prejudice against women. A woman’s testimony wasn’t accepted in a court of law. Yet, here we have Mary as the first witness of Jesus’ resurrection. If the Gospel writer was concerned about having readers accept the story, he wouldn’t have referred to Mary or the other women at the tomb at all. All this shows the writer was concerned about giving an accurate account of what happened that first Easter morning, not necessarily playing to a certain audience.

For us to decide the truth of the Gospel accounts 2,000 years later, our ascent depends on whether we believe the many witnesses who saw the risen Jesus. Do we believe Peter? Do we believe Paul? Can we trust the women and men who have passed their stories down to us through the centuries? Our faith depends on that.

But more than that it depends on the experience of the risen Jesus we have today. Christians don’t believe that the risen Jesus left the earth never to be heard from again. Jesus continues to act in people’s lives. We all know Christian people personally. Many will swear that their belief in the forgiveness Jesus offers has changed their lives. When people have lived according to Gospel tenants that has also impacted their lives.

The Jesus we believe in is the Jesus of history. But the Jesus we believe in is also the Jesus who always was and always will be. The Spirit of Jesus is here with us today. People have called on Jesus to sustain them in the trials of their lives. When they have, they have found the strength to overcome great obstacles. Do we believe the stories that modern apostles tell, about the good works of Jesus that happen today?

We shouldn’t just believe Jesus is alive because we are told we must. Nor should we be skeptical because it seems like everyone is. We need to search. We need to ask questions. We need to listen to the circumstantial evidence provide by the apostles of yesterday and the apostles of today. Most of all we need to pray. We also need to remain open to new evidence which is constantly unfolding in our life. None of us know when new inspiration will come. Jesus continues to act in the world today. The question is do we look for him? Or do we just stand by the grave lamenting that he is gone.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Which testimonies in the scripture about Jesus’ life are most powerful? Which saint’s testimony tells me Jesus is alive?

2.   Who brought me the news of the resurrection of Jesus? Who might I share my belief with?

 Dear Parishioners,

           We are presently celebrating the Octave of Easter. We hear the stories of the resurrection at Mass throughout this week. If you have left Lent behind and gone back to your regular routine, you might want to attend Mass this week.

          Lent is a season of 40 days. Easter is a season of 50 days. Could the church be trying to tell us that repentance is important, but that celebrating new life in Christ is even more important?

          May our Lady pray for us as we seek to spread the Good News,

          Fr. Mark