How to cheat Death.

Homily for March 29, 2017.

As Lent progresses, we are gradually going to be seeing more and more of readings that contain a lot of Jewish hostility to Jesus. The Jews have now convicted Jesus with a two count charge; for breaking the Sabbath and for claiming to be God.

What is so striking is that, at this stage, Jesus does not seem to show any atom of fear; he does not leave the country to hide somewhere hidden; he even addresses his accusers face to face as if to say: “If you want to kill me, fine, but death is nothing to me!”

What is responsible for Jesus’ attitude? He had the keys to life so much so that he knew death was nothing; in other words, Jesus cheated death and not just that, he taught every Christian how to cheat death.

How did Jesus cheat death? By making a mockery of it! By taking away its power and dread completely. By rising again on the third day thereby showing us that death no longer has the final say.

To cheat death does not mean that one will live for hundred or two hundred years. No. Cheating death does not mean avoiding it at all costs or running away when death is mentioned, it means living in a manner that death itself become a means of transport to a far superior life.

This is exactly what Jesus meant when he said: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.” John 5, 28 to 29. 

If only we can put in as much effort in avoiding hell as we do in trying to avoid death, our life would be much richer and eventually we would escape eternal damnation. The truth is that what makes death scary is our sinfulness.

Let us heed the words of Isaiah in our first reading today: “Come forth, those who are in darkness.” Let us leave sin and darkness behind so that we too can cheat death as Jesus did.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my longing for eternal life. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 4^th Week of Lent. Bible Study: Isiah 49:8-15 and John 5:17-30).

Fr. Abu.