THE MEANINGFUL SILENCE

EASTER SUNDAY: THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD YEAR B MARCH 31, 2024 (R. 1: Acts 10: 34a, 37-43; Psalm: 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23; R. 2: Colossians 3: 1-4; Gospel: John 20: 1-9)

FR EMMANUEL INEDU OCHIGBO

Why are we here this time around? Why is everyone here? We are here to get the answer to a fundamental question. What is the question? Who asked the question? What is the answer? Who answering? Do you remember the story I shared with you some time ago about a patient I visited in the hospital? As a chaplain, I visited a patient whose prognosis was not good. It seemed he had only a few days to hours to his death. When I came in, he began to share his story. At a point, he started questioning: “God, why is this happening to me? I have been good to people. I have been serious with my faith; why did you let this happen to me?” Then suddenly, as if coming to a new realization, he turned to me, and began apologizing, “Father, I am so sorry for questioning God in your presence; I didn’t mean to do that. Please, forgive me.” I asked, “Why are you apologizing to me?” I realized that for him, the chaplain is the visible representation of the invisible God. I told him, “You have no reason to apologize; it is ok, keep the questions coming; God is not offended by your questions. Bring as many questions as possible because your questions give God job security.”

Not only that, but you are also not the first to ask God a question while in a difficult situation. His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, while on the Cross on Good Friday, asked his Father, “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” So, it is ok to ask God questions, but when you do, ensure you do not run away, stay, and get your answer. Remember, after Jesus asked his Father, “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” he did not run away; he later added, “Into your hands, I commend my spirit.” And Jesus got his answer. The answer he got from his Father was a resounding silence. A silence that seemed meaningless on Good Friday while Jesus was on the Cross. But the real answer came on Easter Sunday very early in the morning; that is the answer we have gathered to get today. The answer came as the empty tomb. The empty tomb made the “meaningless” silence of Good Friday to become meaningful.

God had his plans; it took only three days, and then it became clear that the Father had not abandon his Son. That is why we are gathered here, My Dearly Beloved in Christ, to witness the answer, the answer that came after three days. It is the answer that came in the form of the empty tomb.

We all have our peculiar questions. Some are asking, “Why me? Why now? What have I done?” I assure you that God is not troubled by your questions. He welcomes your questions, and he is answering you. Sometimes, he begins with silence, a silence that takes three days to become meaningful. Three days for you may be three seconds, three hours, three days, three weeks, three years, three decades. But guess what, if you don’t run away, your third day will certainly arrive with the empty tomb when you can look back and connect the dots. Then you will say, “Now I know why!” Ensure you don’t insist that God may give you the exact answer he has given to someone else. We all have our peculiar calendar prepared by God; the one that will work for you is the one that God has prepared for you. My dearly beloved in Christ, that is why we have gathered here. I do not know what you are waiting for, but I have assurance: God answers our questions. Keep waiting. Remember what they say: “Good things come to those who patiently wait; however, better things come to those who pray while they wait.” May our waiting not be in vain until we come to our heavenly inheritance through Christ our Lord. Amen.