Sunday Apr 20, 2025
THE RESURRECTION IS OUR PROOF AND HOPE
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; 5 and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
John 20:1–9 (RSVCE)
Christ is Risen, He is Risen indeed, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. We thank God for this great favor of the resurrection, for the sake of humanity and Christianity. We Christians have something wonderful to share with non-Christians, that our Mighty Leader – Jesus Christ rose from the death to bring hope to everyone. This morning I listened to one of my favorite Catholic Priests on Youtube and I thought of sharing his message with you. His name is Rev. Fr. Blessed Ambang-Njume from Cameroon. On Fr. Njume’s Youtube page he states this description; “Know your faith; know God's word; live that word; win heaven for yourself. Faith is to be practiced. If you do not go to heaven, you have yourself to blame.” Anyone who has listened to Fr. Njume before will testify that, he does well by driving home the message of God’s word by relating it with our everyday life. In is message, he throws some light on why Christians go to church on Sunday. While he was explaining, this thought crossed my mind about the Sabbath being a Saturday or Sunday. This is my view which I share with you.
The Sabbath was instituted by God and was to be kept holy, however this same day was stained with a grievous sin by the same people for whom the Sabbath was established. But as Isaiah 59:7 tells us “Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways.” After shedding an innocent blood, they were actually in a hurry to go and celebrate this sacred feast. But thanks to God for the things He spoke of old through his Prophets. Jesus said in John 10:18 (ESV), “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
We thank Jesus for his resurrection on a day after the Sabbath (which is Sunday). After all, who goes about mourning the death of their loved one every other week. It simply means you cannot get over the death of that loved one. For this reason, we commemorate Good Friday every year and not every Friday. So, we rather celebrate his glorious resurrection every Sunday in a Joyful mode. Yes, it is true. We do not have it written in the bible that the Sabbath is meant to be Sunday, but remember the words of our Savior, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17, ESV).
Left to me, the Sabbath day which was meant to be sacred and holy day would rather be a Memorial Day of pain and regret for my sins which nailed Him (Jesus) to the cross and celebrate His victory every Sunday (which is a day after the Sabbath). For Jesus said in John 13:34, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other.” This love feast is what we all celebrate every Sunday. God loves us all, whether you choose to celebrate him on Sunday or Saturday or even the weekdays. What matters is that you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. It is not by your works or deeds, but by His grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
I pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to be Christians with a firm foundation in Jesus Christ through reading of holy scriptures, rather than doctrinal people. Christ is risen, let us go and celebrate and proclaim to the world. Amen.
MESSAGE FROM REV. FR. BLESSED NJUME
CATHOLIC MEDITATION: SUNDAY - 20 APRIL, 2025. (🕯EASTER SUNDAY - YEAR C 🕯 - JESUS IS ALIVE )
https://youtu.be/qttDFhpCZyE?si=mRNoKnQvUxKHiF3x
Maurice Luther
Founder the Christian Migrant Network
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