Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, Year A - 16th April, 2017
It was Easter Sunday morning as little children were doing twirls in their new Easter clothes in a corner shop while watching themselves on the security monitor. Then looking at me in my crumpled clothes, worse the wear from all the diverse activities of Holy Week, said, more in sympathy, than condemnation – “Mister where are your Easter clothes?”
Easter is a time when each of us is clothed anew in Christ.
There are many phrases in relation to how we look and dress. An old proverb speaks of putting silk on a goat and it’s always a goat! However this is balanced by a kinder one, ‘nice feathers make nice birds!’ People in the fashion world speak of putting on the glad rags or of working in the rag trade! These are externals though. Nothing compares with being clothed anew in Christ this beautiful joyful Easter day, the day when we sing, Christ is risen, Alleluia, He is risen indeed Alleluia.
On the day of your Baptism you were clothed in a white christening robe with the words: ‘See in this white garment, the outward sign of your Christian dignity.’
We are told in the gospel today that Peter and John ‘saw the linen cloths lying on the ground....and that the cloth which was over Jesus’ head ‘was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself.’
These linen cloths will not be needed again. Christ is risen, never to die again.
How beautiful the words spoken to you today: ‘You have died, and the life you have is hidden with Christ in God.’
It is important to put on our Easter Sunday best but more important to realize that our souls, our very selves are clothed in Christ.
The Vincentian community of priests wish you every Easter blessing and are deeply grateful to each one of you for your generosity in giving so much of yourselves to the parish in all the activities that have led to making this a truly blessed Easter for all of us.
Frs Michael, Noel, Ray and Eamon C.M.
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