Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Last night was a wonderful night as the Easter Exultet was sung for us. I have to confess one thing: I was moved when I heard it. I was filled with joy that our God could love us in this way that he has this patient love for you and for me, always. Oh, happy fault (the sin of Adam and Eve) that gave us such a great savior. To rescue a slave, you sacrificed your only Son, who was so dear to you. It is really awesome if we get this and understand what is going on all the Easter celebrations. It is the holiest of all nights because the Lord loves you, he always loves you and today he comes to save you, to take you out of hell.
We are not celebrating that Christ resurrected 2,000 years ago or that he went down to hell and then ascended into heaven. It is not to remember these events but to make them present. Today the power of God is manifested here by pulling us out of hell. This is what we are living today when we say, oh happy fault, that gave me such a person to resurrect me, to get me out of my hole.
I was touched also because Christ does not say that he came for the good ones. He didn’t conquer death for the saints; it is not that. I am glad because I am not good or holy; I don’t know about you. I have many slaveries that I need to break; I am very stubborn, and Christ is the one who moves the stone for me.
What is the stone that prevents you from entering this celebration? That stone can only be moved by the Lord. There is nothing that you can do to take it away. Either the Lord moves it or it stays. Why are you looking here among the dead for the One who is living? Why do we do that all the time? We look for life among things that cannot give it. You and I seek happiness in things that cannot make you happy. You even have the experience that these things do not give you life. Why do you seek happiness in sex, in pleasure and then you find yourself depressed, disgusted and sad.
You seek happiness in money, money, money. This means that you are looking for Christ among empty tombs, among the dead. You are seeking happiness in success, in power, in being someone. It does not give you life. It will take life away from you. The question is why do you seek him in those places. He is not among the dead; he is among the living. He defeated your death and my death; he totally conquered it. And wants to give us his spirit; let us ask for it during these days of Easter.