Easter Sunday [A]

April 9, 2023

John 20:1-9

Easter Sunday is the summit of the Holy Week. Jesus’ triumph over death is the culmination of the drama of salvation. The resurrection is the foundation of our faith. Why then is Jesus’ resurrection foundational to our belief and our religion?

St. Paul gives us the answer, “and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins (1 Cor 15:17).” Had not Jesus risen from the dead, all what He had said, would have been a terrible lie. His claim to divinity would have been nothing but a blasphemy. His promise to save us from the slavery of sins would have been an empty words. His prophecy that he would rise on the third day would have been an delusion. He could have been nothing but an unfortunate man who suffered on the cross. 

However, Jesus rose from the dead! All what He said is true and fulfilled. He is truly a divine Messiah who redeemed His people from the bondage of sins. He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament’s prophecies. All His teachings and commandments have a divine origin and are binding universally and eternally. His Church that He founded upon the apostles is real and becomes a means to bring people to holiness.

This is why we are rejoicing. In Easter Sunday, we know with certainty that our faith is not empty. Our God is a true God. Our Church is truly divinely instituted. Our religion is surely not a false religion. We have definitely been redeemed.

This is year’s Holy Week, I am privileged to visit the city of Turin, northern Italy. This city is not only famous for its beauty but also for its precious relic, the Shroud of Turin. The Shroud is believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ Himself. What is unique about this shroud is that it preserves the negative image of Jesus’ body. It is considered miraculous because the technology of negative imaging is relatively new, and ancient people had no possible way to produce it. Thus, it is suggested that the image was created during the event of resurrection. As Jesus resurrected, His glorious body emitted extraordinary light, and as a consequence, a negative copy of Jesus’ body was produced. The Church has not made any definitive pronouncement on the Shroud of Turin, except that is an object of religious devotion. However, if the shroud is authentic, then it is the physical evidence of  Jesus’ resurrection.

However, though we have been redeemed, it does not mean that we can slack off. We must remember also that His resurrection proves to us that His teachings and commandments possess divine authority and thus, they are binding us universally and eternally. If we are not living according to His words, then we will bear the consequences eternally. If He commands us to love another as He has loved us, then we have to take this seriously. If Jesus teaches us to forgive our enemies, we do not have much option, but to do our best to forgive. If Jesus reveals that marriage cannot be dissolved, then we have to do our best to prepare our marriages into a school of love and holiness, and to support them in times of trials and temptations. 

Easter is a great time to rejoice because the Lord has truly risen, and the same time, the best time to convert our great joy into enthusiasm to become a better and holier disciples of Jesus.

Blessed Easter!

Turino

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

April 2, 2023

Matthew 21:1-11

Palm Sunday signals the beginning of the most sacred week in the liturgy of the Church. At the same time, the liturgical celebration of this Sunday is one of the most unique among the other Sundays. The day is named Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion because it includes two different Gospel readings: the triumphant entrance of Jesus to Jerusalem and the Passion Narrative from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, or Luke, depending on the liturgical year). However, if we carefully read today’s Gospel, we will not find the word ‘palm’. So, where do we find ‘Palm’?

Before we answer this question, I will share a little of my personal experience with Palm Sunday. My first experience with this solemn event is surely in my own country Indonesia. There, people will bring palm branches to the Church to be blessed and later, we bring these home to be placed on our crucifixes. The type of branches commonly used are from areca palms or bamboo palms. I used to believe that this is the only type branch the Church uses worldwide. Yet, when I come to the Philippines for my priestly formation, I discover that the Filipinos make use of coconut palm branches. Then, when I come to Rome, I find out that the faithful are using different kind of branches!

Going back to our question, ‘where do we find palm in the gospel?’ The answer is that not in the synoptic gospels but in the Gospel of John (see John 12:13). However, while today’s Gospel reading does not mention the word “palm,” it is likely that many people in Jerusalem used palm branches because date palm trees were abundant in the area. Yet, the most important question remains ‘why do we use palm branches?’

In the Old Testament, Psalm 118:25-27 describes how people would welcome the Messiah with a procession of branches when he entered Jerusalem. Similarly, in 1 Maccabees 13:51, people of Jerusalem entered the citadel with palm branches after their enemies were driven out. These stories illustrate that tree branches, especially palm, are symbols of the coming of the Messiah and his victory.

However, if we see from a bigger perspective, the presence of branches in Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem becomes a powerful symbol of His mission of salvation. In the beginning, Adam and Eve lived in the garden where various plants grew. Their first sin and disobedience involved the tree. Now, in His redemption reverses the curse. His Passion begins in the garden of Gethsemane. His final act of love and obedience involve the tree of the cross.

As we are holding our palm branches, may it not become a meaningless annual ritual. They remind us on our commitment to participate in mission of Jesus’ redemption, to walk into His Passion, and to carry our own crosses with Him. It is never easy, but we are never alone and the reward is beyond our imagination. May we be inspired also by our brothers and sisters who chose to die for Christ, rather live denying Him. These martyrs have fought a good fight, have finished the race, and have kept the faith (see 2 Tim 4:7).  Now, they have received the palm branches as the sign of their victory (see Rev 7:9)!

Rome

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP