One of the great comedic movies of the 1980s is “Three Amigos” with Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short. If you’re not familiar with the movie, it’s about three actors in the early twentieth century, who think they’re going to a film shoot in Mexico, only to learn that the locals think that they’re real heroes, and have sought their help to conquer the villain, El Guapo. There are too many good lines to quote here, and you can probably watch it online somewhere (it’s rated PG, but parents should screen it first to make sure it’s appropriate for their children).
But, in one exchange between El Guapo, and his chief henchman, Jefe, as they are planning his birthday party, El Guapo asks, “Would you say I have a plethora of piñatas?” Jefe responds, “A what?” El Guapo repeats, “A plethora.” Jefe responds, “Oh yes, you have a plethora.” El Guapo then asks, “Jefe, what is a plethora?” Jefe asks back, “Why, El Guapo?” El Guapo responds, “Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has no idea what it means to have a plethora.”
We have a word that we use, especially during the Easter season, but do we know what it means? What is that word? It’s not plethora. It’s Alleluia! We sing it so often during Easter, and we put it away during Lent, but do we know that Alleluia means? It’s one of the few Hebrew words that the church retains untranslated, it means “God be praised,” and it’s a response of joy. It comes from the Hallel psalms in the Bible, psalms 113-118, and many Jews still pray these psalms especially on the most important Jewish feast days. So, as those who follow the fulfillment of Judaism, it is right that we say, on our most important feast days, Hallelujah or Alleluia.
But what do we have to praise God for this year? As we’re stuck in our homes, watching Mass on TV or on the Internet, as so many businesses are closed, and we probably can’t gather with the usual family members for the usual Easter dinner, why would we sing Alleluia? Can we praise God in the midst of COVID-19?
We can, and we should, because Easter still celebrates what it has always celebrated, which is worthy of the greatest Alleluia! Perhaps in years past we have muddled the meaning of Easter because we do have family to visit, hams to cook, Easter bonnets to wear. But Easter, like every Sunday, is about one thing: the Resurrection. Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead, God be praised! Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death, God be praised! We, too, who have died with Jesus Christ in the waters of baptism can rise with Him to new life, God be praised! This is truly the reason for the celebration. All the other stuff is good, too, but it’s not even a pale comparison to the joy we should have from Jesus rising from the dead.
We should sing with the Psalmist today, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” We heard even in the Sequence sung today that Christ has reconciled us to the Father. “Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: the Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal….Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.” In the midst of all that is going on, and that is not as it usually is, all that is not as it should be because of COVID-19, Jesus is still risen, we still have the great gift of new and enteral life offered to us.
And Jesus’ Resurrection means that the world is, little by little, being remade. It starts as a small seed, that died in the ground but then rose to new life in Jesus, but the tree has started to spread all over the world, granting its fruit of new life to those who partake of it. Unlike in Eden where our first parents ate of the fruit and brought death to the world, our Lord, on a tree, conquered Satan, the ancient foe, and through that tree, new and eternal life is available for all.
It can be easy, like Peter and John, to see the empty tomb, but not believe in the Resurrection, because it is not fully before our eyes. Because the world is being remade in the light of the risen Christ slowly, we miss the reason for joy. We focus on the doubt and the darkness, and don’t see the hope and light.
But Jesus is still victorious, and the light is still there. Jesus conquered sin, He conquered death, and yes, Jesus has even conquered COVID-19. We need only stay faithful to Jesus so that we can share in the full victory that was won when Jesus rose from the dead.
So today, and every Sunday, which the church calls a little Easter, rejoice in the Resurrection! Sing with the psalmist, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” Join with the words that Nehemiah spoke, foreshadowing the joy of the Resurrection, even in the Old Testament: “‘Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not lament, do not weep! […] Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord is your strength!’” Alleluia! God be praised!!
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| The entrance to the place where Jesus rose from the dead in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre |