We Are Risen

John 20:1-18

Father Mark began by reflecting on the Gospel account of Mary Magdalene encountering the risen Jesus at the tomb. Despite being one of Jesus’ closest followers, she did not recognize him until he called her by name. Father Mark emphasized that this recognition wasn’t about physical sight but spiritual perception—a recognition of the divine love that radiated from Christ. Drawing on theologian Cynthia Bourgeau’s insight, he explained that the post-resurrection Jesus appeared differently to help his followers learn to recognize him through the heart and soul, not just through appearances.

The sermon then explored how resurrection is not just a past event centered on Jesus but an ongoing invitation for all of us. Using his own experience with anorexia as a modern parable, Father Mark shared how he was freed from the mental and physical prison of the illness—a personal resurrection. He spoke of how the Easter message comes alive when we allow God’s love and power to transform us here and now, echoing St. Paul’s assurance that the same Spirit that raised Jesus can raise us, too.

Finally, Father Mark expanded the idea of resurrection from the personal to the communal and global. Drawing from writers like Thomas Merton, Brian McLaren, and Richard Rohr, he spoke of Easter as an invitation for societal transformation—from violence to peace, fear to faith, consumption to stewardship. Resurrection, he said, happens every time we choose love, hope, or healing over despair and death. The Easter message is not just “Christ is risen,” but “We are risen,” and we are invited to live into that reality again and again.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.