Easter Homily 2024

St. Oscar Romero was Archbishop of El Salvador in the 1970s, and he was very disliked by the government for his outspokenness against their corruption.  He was assassinated on March 24, 1980 while praying the Eucharist Prayer.  This Easter, we take to heart his words as he reminds us that Christ is present in every person every where.  That's the hope of the resurrection: that Christ came to save every one of us, regardless of our differences.  The question we must ask ourselves is whether we recognize him, even if he's right in front of us.  We are more united than we think, and Jesus is present in all of us, all the time, despite our divisions and brokenness!

But there is a catch.  If we don't' believe in the resurrection, then we simply recall a guy who died a horrible death and an empty tomb.  Our faith in this case, is worthless and a waste.  BUT!  If we do believe in the resurrection, then our joy in Christ's presence cannot be stopped or stifled!  That makes us an Easter people, and therefore alleluia is our song!

From the staff of the Emmaus Pastorate, happy Easter!