Brothers and sisters, in the Gospel according to Matthew, the story of the resurrection of Jesus occurred during a convergence between two women, one of them being Mary Magdalene, and an angel when the women visited His tomb. We can see in the book of Matthew 28:5-6 the first words spoken by the angel to them: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” Quite likely, it was long before the women realized what the angel said to them. But, according to the Gospel, their fear and sorrow were replaced by amazement and joy.
Amazement and joy! These are the blessings brought by the resurrection of Christ. We may ask, “What thing should we be amazed at or be joyous about when we are in the middle of a heavy suffering?” Like the two women, we are also looking for Jesus. Where is Jesus now?
Whether we believe it or not, there is a valid reason for us to be amazed and be joyful, and to be full of hope. If we sharpen our observation and senses, we will be amazed at how our God moves in many small and silent ways to save us from sins that burden us. Is it not a clear proof of the presence and movements of God in our society today that we see so many people propagating good-heartedness, compassion for others, and sacrificing a lot in order for us to become one in beating the disease that already affected more than 2 million people and taken the lives of over 135,000 people in the world?
If the crisis did not happen, we may have remained blind to the truth that many people are good-hearted, and also remained blind to the many ways we ourselves can be good to others who are in need. If the crisis never happened, we might have remained blind to the fact that much is needed to be changed, like the widespread poverty in our midst. Couldn’t it be that Jesus is moving into our hearts and minds for us to change our views of ourselves, our society, and seriously think about the things that we can do for these changes to occur?
Our hope does not come from blind faith; it comes from a strong foundation. Christ is alive and He is here with the people who continue to love, to serve, and to sacrifice for the good of all. He tirelessly evokes His love to the people. As Pope Francis said in his message before the Holy Week, because of love, people become creative. Our hope is hoping for a greater day, where each and every one of us, and all mankind, can live far greater than good. Because of the love that we see in the people who love, we have a reason to believe for a greater day.
Christ is with us while there are people thinking about how they can help solve the loss of justice in our society that this crisis is showing us. Christ is with us while we are being enlightened to give financial help to the workers who cannot fend for themselves. Christ is with us when there are those who think of ways to make health and care needs to be more affordable. Christ is truly alive when more and more people are seeing clearly what must be changed in our lives after this crisis.
Brothers and sisters, where else can we find Christ except within us, in every person ready to help others, and in every person ready to reform his life to be like Jesus’ and take action for the greater good of a just society. Christ is truly alive, which is why we are full of joy and hope.
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