By Bishop Timothy Harris
IT’S true to say that there is a lot of darkness in our world – the darkness of conflict, racism, discrimination, poverty, loneliness, rejection, mental illness, disease, hardness of heart and lack of compassion. The list is endless.
For the believer, in the midst of darkness is always light.
When Mary Magdala came to the tomb it was very early and still dark.
Peter and the beloved disciple also had mixed reactions to the empty tomb according to John.
For them, “they did not understand the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead”.
As we reflect on this story, we should never take for granted that these foundational members would later lay down their lives for the truth of what they came to believe, for the truth of who they would come to know as the one risen from the dead.
From darkness to light. From death to life. Death does not have the last word.
Jesus Christ invites each of us.
He invites all of us to new life with Him and on Easter Sunday morning we celebrate by opening our hearts to Him in the mystery of the Resurrection.
Our world of darkness is therefore given hope – a literal lifeline is extended to us.
The hand of the risen one reaches out to us in the darkness.
We are invited to rise with Him now for He is risen now.
We are invited to live as Resurrection people now.
We don’t have to wait until we are dead.
Resurrection is not just an historical fact. It is a continuing experience otherwise we wallow in the darkness.
Christ is risen and we meet Him in His Spirit – in His word, in the Mass, in Holy Communion, in the sacraments, in other people.
Look for Him and with eyes wide open we will see with eyes of faith.
As Resurrection people, whilst acknowledging that life can be very uneven at times, our role is to accept the invitation to build a better community, a more caring and just society by playing our part in being the face of Christ to all.
Easter or Resurrection people can never be complacent in the face of starvation, injustice, poverty, conflict and all other human ills.
We do not walk alone for we are in relationship with the risen one and with our brothers and sisters.
Our darkness now turns to light and our fear into joy. The Lord is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Bishop Timothy Harris is the Bishop of Townsville
