Something is Missing!

Easter Sunday

Those of you who are avid followers of TikTok trends would know that there is a new trend trending on an Easter theme this year. Nothing religious. In fact, one could say that it is highly irreligious. It’s called "Your Chocolate Easter Bunny Is Missing Something.” The trend revolves around the idea that traditional chocolate bunnies are "missing something" (like a creamy filling), leading to funny or ironic reactions. The whole point of the meme is that it’s pointless, nobody cares, one should not even be bothered. And yet this obnoxiously trivial matter has been shared and reshared to oblivion making it another viral sensation.

Who could even imagine that something as mundane as a missing item may have such a massive effect that it could go viral. But that’s exactly what we celebrate today. The story of Easter is about a missing body. But the finding of this missing item is so much more exciting and surprising than when it first went missing. This may be the reason why Catholics experience a great sense of loss whenever something familiar in their faith goes missing.

The reason for this sentiment is that Catholic piety is deeply rooted in objective realities. A leaf, water, candles, a crucifix, bread and wine are not just mere objects to be used, they come alive through our celebrations - they make our faith real and visible. They help us touch, see and taste the very invisible mysteries which we are celebrating. Our faith is not a faith built on ideas. It is faith that it firmly grounded on the sensible and the tangible, because the Word of God did not just remain the Word of God. The Word of God became flesh, dwelt among us and was swept up in the events which we commemorate every Holy Week, where He suffered His passion, died on the cross for us and finally rose from the grave.

Today, we have a missing body from the tomb. But instead of leaving us to languish in despair at what has been taken away, it is good news to us Christians. A corpse may be missing, but the Risen Saviour and Lord is not. Most of us grief over the loss of missing things – whether it is a missing loved one, a missing valuable treasure, or a missed opportunity. But an empty tomb and a missing corpse is always good news!

The empty tomb is a necessary condition for the Resurrection, but atheists are right in stating that it's not sufficient. The Apostles needed to see in the flesh that the Lord was alive again in His body, but in a transformed and glorified state. And this they did, and so did many others who witnessed the resurrected Lord in the flesh, not just in their dreams or imagination. Even as Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, the Resurrection was one of the stumbling blocks for its spread. Christians were mocked for their belief. It's impossible; even ancient people knew that dead people stayed dead. And yet, we witness the rise of the Church in spite of all these unfavourable odds.

The Resurrection of Christ is and must always be the foundation of our Christian faith. The missing body on Easter is not a cause of shame or make us soft targets for mockery. On the contrary, the resurrection gives reality to our faith. It proves salvation is real for millions and millions of believers down the age from all over the world and also, the millions who have gone to be with the Lord hoping to be resurrected someday. “The Resurrection above all constitutes the confirmation of all Christ’s works and teachings. All truths, even those most inaccessible to human reason, find their justification if Christ by His Resurrection has given proof of His divine authority, which he had promised” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 651). St Paul reminds us, “if there is no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (1 Cor. 15: 14-15).

Today, in the face of wars that may spiral into global conflict on the scale of another World War, rising costs of fuel and goods, dark uncertain future of a highly inflated but depressed economy, injustice, the darkness of sin, the loss and death of our loved ones, we cry out to God to act quickly and decisively to destroy what remains of death’s powers. But God waits patiently, offering every opportunity for our enemies and us to come to our senses and embrace the ways of His kingdom. And we must wait too; but not passively. By our words and actions, we boldly announce God’s Easter victory over death – light has triumphed over darkness, truth over falsehood, love over hate, grace over sin. In God’s new order, war, distress, sickness, death, displacement, sin and violence will no longer hold sway. They will be replaced by joy, peace, hope, truth and love. This is not wishful thinking. This is real because Christ has Risen! Indeed He has risen, Alleluia!