The most joyful day of the life of the disciples was Easter Sunday. And hopefully also for us who are struggling right now with the current pandemic. The Liturgical celebration helps us to prepare for this big day. During the Easter Vigil, we listen to seven readings that point to Jesus and his Resurrection.  Just to summarize the seven readings. In Jesus’ Resurrection, God’s creation narrated in the first reading is fulfilled. We all have our origin in God, and in Jesus’ Resurrection, we are made a new creation. The second reading as well finds its connection with the Resurrection of the Lord. As Isaac was saved from death so the new Isaac, Jesus the Christ, obedient son of God, in His Resurrection overcomes sin and death forever.  In Christ, the third reading is fulfilled. God frees his people from slavery. At Calvary, the angry crowd thought that Jesus would be enslaved to death but now his Resurrection proves him as the Liberator. Jesus fulfilled what was announced in the fourth reading. True salvation is found not only in material blessings and security but when we truly live in God's presence. The fifth reading with a call “Come to the Water!” finds fulfillment in Jesus.  He who uttered, "I am thirsty," now becomes the source of living water, the Holy Spirit. In Him, the thirst of the world can be quenched. Jesus fulfills the search for true wisdom urged by the sixth reading. The true wisdom of God is Jesus, who remains faithful to the Father despite being mocked and ridiculed; He shows to those who follow in his footstep that God's wisdom will lead to victory. The seventh reading is fulfilled in Jesus. God will restore his people. A new heart will be given, a new soul will be given. And that applies to us too.

Jesus has risen! This was the news that broke out on the first day of the week and which changed the lives of many people like Mary Magdalene, the apostles, the disciples, the people that knew Jesus, and even us. This news changes our perspectives including the way we look at our current pandemic. I would like to share some Resurrection stories set in this Enhanced Community Quarantine. Even in this situation, JESUS HAS RISEN.

The place of the resurrection was the place Jesus was buried as well. He was in the tomb for three days. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. John wrote that on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb… “while it was still dark”. Yes, we are already on the “first day of the week” but still “it is dark” due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Pope Francis in his homily during the “Urbi et Orbi” celebration said, “Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets, and our cities; it has taken over our lives, filling everything with a deafening silence and a distressing void, that stops everything as it passes by; we feel it in the air, we notice in people’s gestures, their glances give them away. We find ourselves afraid and lost.” Yes, still dark, but let us not lose sight of resurrection, let us not forget that where he was laid was the very same place where he showed himself for the very first time to Mary of Magdala. Even in the tomb, a new life is possible. A recent resurrection experience happened during the distribution of monetary help from one church Organization. I had instructed the one in-charge to give some help to a certain family whom I considered in need. The night before the distribution I received a message from one of the family members telling me they were happy for the kind thought but they would rather extend such help to families that are most in need. I was really touched, I was humbled! Though it was Palm Sunday for me Easter Day was already dawning. I did not expect to see sharing, honesty, and openness in this “tomb”.

Mary Magdalene is the very first witness of the Resurrection. She was the news reporter to Peter and to the beloved disciple that the stone was removed from the tomb.  In his book, Jesus: the Pilgrimage, Fr. James Martin, SJ said, “Mary Magdalene reminds us that the most powerful tool for spreading the Good news is not knowledge, but experience…The true disciple does not say simply ‘I have studied Jesus’ but as Mary Magdalene did, ‘I have seen the Lord’. Later she will bring the eyewitness testimony to the disciples that “I have seen the Lord!” During this lockdown I was on the veranda of our house I saw a former youth member of the chapel; he came nearer. He asked me if I still remembered him. I nodded. Practicing social distance, we talked and he expressed his gratitude to me because if not for the weekly meeting at the chapel he would have been killed or in jail. He shared that once he was supposed to go with his friends to a certain place where they would hold-up a bus. Fortunately, he met me and felt compelled to join the youth meeting instead of pursuing his criminal plan. His bad company continued the plan and the next day were in the headline of the tabloids. This young man had experienced a “second chance” from God. Another Mary of Magdalene. That hot afternoon in March Easter had already arrived.

Jesus showed himself for the very first time not to his beloved 11, not even to his beloved disciples but to a woman, named Mary of Magdala. During the time of Jesus, women were considered unreliable witnesses yet Jesus appeared to Mary of Magdala. She had no title, no position among the 12, she is nobody. But Jesus turned the nobody to somebody. The Resurrection story reminds me that simple people can become the manifestation of the presence of God. Last week I chatted with a Filipina working in Italy. She was sharing to me the horror of the coronavirus in Italy. I shared with her the increase of cases in the Philippines. I remember her reply: “Father, there is nothing impossible with God”. A woman who is afraid of the situation in Italy is the one giving me hope and giving testimony that God is in control of this pandemic. Indeed, even on the internet, Easter happens.

Happy Easter!