With the most encouraging and lifegiving of words, God’s messenger spoke to the women who were searching for Jesus’ entombed body: “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here”. The ‘not here’ in the literal sense heralds the ‘not here’ of decay and corruption within the spiritual and existential sense. In other words, darkness gives way to light, mortality to immortality, death gives way to life. Jesus of Nazareth has truly risen through, in and with the merciful act of God the Father for us broken humanity!

In his Easter Sermon, Saint John Chrysostom asks: “Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!” What is so special with this Easter celebration? What does it usher us into?

Easter, in all its splendour and grandeur, shows us the merciful face of the Father of mercies, who “raised [his beloved Son Jesus] from the dead” (Acts 13, 30).

In front of this unfathomable act of mercy of God the Father towards us human beings, we join the Apostle Paul in the following hymn of praise to the Father: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (2 Cor 1, 3).

The Resurrection of Jesus is the definite triumph of God the Father’s mercy in and for human history, as the aforementioned Easter homily of Saint John Chrysostom rightly points out. “If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; if any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that toiled from the first. Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day! You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for table is richly laden!...

Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave... Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is Risen, and life is liberated! Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

In Jesus’ resurrection the Father’s mercy is undoubtedly at its best! To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap

San Gwann