On
Good Friday we heard these words of the Prophet Isaiah, “Who would have
believed what we have heard? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed.” These
could have been the words of the holy women at the tomb this morning, “Who
would believe what we have heard.” When they heard the announcement of the
heavenly messengers, “He is not here, but he has been raised,” their astonishment
knew no bounds. They bolted out of the tomb to announce the message to Peter
and the other disciples. But an even greater surprise was in store for them –
the realization that it had all been foretold! They began to remember the words
of Moses, the words of the prophets, the words of the psalms, and above all,
that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and enter into his glory. It
had all been part of God’s plan, and now the disciples had the key – the Risen
Lord and his Spirit. Everything was fulfilled.
Again, as Isaiah had foretold, “See,
my servant shall prosper…” Jesus was indeed God’s servant. “He shall be raised
high and greatly exalted.” He had indeed been exalted beyond all comprehension
– He was no longer dead but alive! They touched him. They gave him something to
eat. They recognized the marks of the nails in his hands and his feet. He had
been crushed, pierced, and seemingly smitten by God and afflicted. But it had
all been for them: the fearless witness, the stripes, the spotless lamb led to
the slaughter. His almighty Father had laid upon him the guilt of all the
disciples, especially those who had fled and abandoned him in the garden. But now
the Bridegroom had returned to the garden, to the beds of spices, to find his
Bride for whom had given his whole life as an offering for her sin. Is it any
wonder that their astonishment knew no bounds?
Finally, the disciples realized that
by giving his life as an offering for sin, Jesus would indeed justify many,
restoring peace with God and with one another. Even more, because the servant of
the Lord had been raised high and greatly exalted – unimaginably exalted – they
had been exalted! Because Jesus had willingly taken the lowest place, his
Father had given him the name above every other name, and his Bride was meant
to share in that exaltation. My brothers, this is the great mystery that we are
celebrating tonight. It is understandable that it will take time to absorb all
this, but we have 40 days and a novena to the Holy Spirit as preparation for
further enlightenment. In the meantime, let us rejoice that the Bridegroom has
come down to his Eucharistic table where he will break bread with us and open our
minds further to the Scriptures. It is astonishing, and it had all been foretold!
Painting by Duccio di Buoninsegna. Abbot Vincent's EasterVigil homily.
