April 20, 2025

In Easter homily, Bishop Byrne says the resurrection offers new life in Christ

REGIONAL
Staff report

SPRINGFIELD — Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated the 10 a.m. Mass Easter morning at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield. The Mass was broadcast live on “Chalice of Salvation,” on WWLP-22 News. Here is the full text of his homily:

My dog Zélie and I often walk in our Catholic Cemeteries, tranquil fields where those who have gone before us await the resurrection of the body at the end of time.  Each stone tells is a story, a life filled with love and joy, flaws and triumphs.  Zélie and I agree that cemeteries are beautiful places to get some physical and spiritual exercise. 

In of our cemeteries, there is a very large grave marker from the early 1900’s that depicts Our Lord seated in glory.  Kneeling in front of him is a priest who has his head buried in Jesus’ embrace.  It is said that the grave belongs a priest who died of the drink. 

He was so beloved that his parishioners collected funds to give him this beautiful monument.   His name was Father Charles.  He had struggles but clearly he loved his people well.  He was good, but flawed.  He was each one of us in our own way.  The gift of that tomb stone by his parishioners is a testament to this, but to me his grave marker is a beautiful an image of the Resurrection.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16)  Jesus entered into the woundedness of the human condition to heal it from within.  He confronted sin and hurt, hate and even death itself and conquered them with love and life.  He not only restored us to himself, he made us children of the Father.

The Resurrection tells us that healing is stronger than disease or addiction.  The resurrection shouts that life is stronger than death, love is stronger than hate, and truth is stronger than lies. This is not just an idea but the greatest truth of all. 

Listen to the Gospel of the discovery of the empty tomb:

When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.

The body had not been stolen.  Who unwraps a body if they are going to steal it?  Who folds up the burial cloths.  “They saw and believed.”

On that first Easter, Jesus’ friends come at daybreak and found the grave empty and the stone rolled away. Each in some way realized the new wonder; but even they hardly realized that the world had died in the night.  What they were looking at was the first day of a new creation.

History changed forever that day.  Jesus’ Resurrection is about breaking out into an entirely new form of life.  Easter brings a life that opens up a new dimension of human existence.  We became an “Easter People.” We become a people renewed in Jesus.  Each of us has wounds and flaws and yet, like Father Charles whose grave a I pass so often, we also loved and are loved.

But how do we become an Easter People?  St. John Paul the Great famously said, “We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our song!”  The Resurrection reveals our true dignity.  We are children of the Father.  This means we have a high calling, to be saints both in heaven at the end of our lives.  However, we get there by bringing heaven here to earth.  To be an “Easter Person” by living excellently on this earth, not excellence in pleasure but excellence in faithfulness.

Listen to St. Paul in Today’s Reading:

Brothers and sisters:
If then you were raised with Christ,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.

Easter is Jesus’ affirmation of the human person.  We must seek what is above. It reveals that our bodies, our lives, and our relationships are destined for eternal glory.

As Zélie and I walk through the cemetery and see the image of Fr. Charles embraced in the Jesus’ arms of mercy, I pick up my step.  I pick up my step in the joy of Easter.  I pick up my step in my  life to be a better disciple and shepherd after the heart of my the Resurrected Lord.

Easter is a chance for us to fall into the lap of the Risen Jesus not filled with regret, but alive in the power of forgiveness and healing and life.

Praised be Jesus Christ.

Now and Forever!