Stop searching and start rising

Fr Gerry D’Souza

On the sacred occasion of Easter, Fr. Gerry  D’Souza delivered an inspiring message during the Easter Vigil Mass at Lupita Hall Church, calling upon the faithful to recognize the true meaning of life and move forward with the hope of the Resurrection. He began his reflection with a profound question: “Why do we search for life in empty tombs?”

Referring to the biblical account, he noted that early in the morning, while it was still dark, the women went to the tomb of Jesus. They did not go with hope, but with sorrow, expecting not a miracle but a dead body. It was then that the angel’s question echoed: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” He emphasized that this question is not limited to that moment in history, but remains deeply relevant for every person today.

Clarifying the essence of Easter, he urged the faithful to “stop searching and start rising.” Falling, he said, is natural, but rising again is a sign of courage.

Drawing from the example of Mary Magdalene, he explained that she came to the tomb in darkness, not only the darkness of early morning, but of grief, confusion, and despair, yet she returned in the light of the Resurrection. Similarly, the darkness in our lives, failures, fears, and disappointments, is not permanent. Easter reassures us that light will surely come.

Fr Gerry D’Souza pointed out that the stone had already been removed even before the women arrived at the tomb, signifying that God was at work in our lives even before we reached our moments of struggle. The stone, he said, was not removed to let Jesus out, but to let us see. The “stones” in our lives, fear, doubt, or heavy burdens, can be lifted through God’s grace.

He noted that on Good Friday, everything seemed finished, hope was buried, dreams were shattered, and the disciples hid in fear. However, Easter transformed the story. The fearful became courageous, the silent began to proclaim, and the broken became witnesses. “God does not erase our wounds, but transforms them into something beautiful. Our failures become lessons, our pain finds purpose, and our brokenness becomes a testimony,” Fr D’Souza observed.

In conclusion, Fr Gerry D’Souza emphasized that Easter was not only a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but also an invitation for each of us to rise with Him, from fear to courage, from sin to grace, and from sorrow to joy. The empty tomb, he said, was not a sign of absence, but of possibility. It proclaimed that fear did not triumph, darkness did not endure, and the past did not have the final word.

The message concluded with the joyful proclamation of “Alleluia,” symbolizing the joy of the Resurrection and the promise of new life.

(Author is Administrator & Treasurer at Loyola School, Telco. Views are personal.)