Among the women disciples of Jesus that I admire most is Mary Magdalene. Why? Because she was a very courageous woman. She was not afraid of darkness. She went alone to the tomb of Jesus very early in the morning. Indeed, she profoundly missed the loving presence of Jesus. Her action expressed her deep love of Him. But when she saw the stone removed in the tomb, she immediately dashed to report the incident to Peter and John by saying: "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him." (Jn 20:2)

Can the empty tomb be a proof that Christ had risen from the dead? The answer is definitely "no" because of the possibility that some people have stolen the body of Jesus as Mary Magdalene thought. The initial reaction of Peter and John is to run in haste to the tomb. John being the younger, arrived earlier than Peter. Out of respect for him being the head of the community, he waited on him, though he bent down saw the burial clothes there. He allowed Peter to enter the tomb, then followed. One minor detail - when he saw the burial clothes rolled up in a separate place, he believed. His love and intimacy with Jesus are the conditions that moved him to believe. Yet both of them didn't understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

So, what is then the proof of Christ's resurrection? The precise answer to this query is the appearance stories of Jesus. As for us Christians, we have to understand deeper the meaning of Christ's resurrection.

To me, Christ's resurrection implies that his claim being the Son of God is true. Therefore, Jesus is God. This truth was already revealed during the annunciation of the birth of Jesus, when the Messenger of God said to Mary: "Behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will be no end.” Second, Christ's resurrection implies that he is speaks the truth. Therefore, Jesus is the Truth. All his teachings about God, forgiveness of sins, God's mercy and love, and salvation are true. Everything that Jesus said in the scriptures in matters of our faith and morals need to be followed. By believing in Jesus, we would not be mistaken and would be led into error, for He is the Truth which would lead us to freedom.

Third, Christ's resurrection implies that death is not the end of life, but it is just a transition to another life. Thus, Jesus is our Life. As Christians we should be men and women of hope, that is, to anticipate our life with God in heaven. One of the characteristics of people of hope is being optimistic at all times.

Today is Easter Sunday. It must inspire, convict and challenge us first, to be ever grateful to God at all times. As the saying goes: "Gratitude is the memory of the heart..." God wants us to have a grateful heart. He always gives us the chance to express it every Sunday through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass or the "Eucharist.” Count your blessings every week, and you will have all the reasons for which to to thank Him. As Christians, we should never complain to God or to people. We should not blame others for our miseries. Even in times of defeat and loss, we should be grateful because that is a sign that our faith has matured and grown. Second, we have always to rejoice and be happy.

As Christians having this "JOY" must be our best disposition. Do you remember the acronym of "JOY"? "J" stands for Jesus. Have Him in your heart and life at all times. "O" signifies "others.” Think of others always, especially those who need your help. And "Y" stands for "yourself". Follow this chronologically in life: Jesus, others and yourself. You will definitely have Joy in life and you will rejoice at all times. Third, we have to undergo a transformation at all times. This Easter we will renew our baptismal promises "to believe in God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, to detest Satan and his evil ways.” Let us not do this by our lips only, but with a concrete resolve to turn away from our sins and evil deeds so as to grow in God's grace.

Happy Easter to all!!!

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