"Forgiveness, Faith, and Hope" - A Reflection on the Resurrection

G.K. Chesterton once said,

“Forgiving means to pardon the unpardonable,

Faith means believing in the unbelievable,

And hoping means to hope when things are hopeless.”

If that is the case, then, Easter is nothing else but a celebration of forgiveness, of faith, and of hope.

Through his death and resurrection, Christ achieved redemption for humanity.

In his suffering, he took upon himself the burden of sins. He who was innocent took place of sinners to endure the consequences of the world’s sins. The unblemished Lamb was slaughtered to become the one and everlasting sacrifice for the remission of offenses against God. Through his complete obedience, Christ redeemed what was lost through Adam’s disobedience. Through his resurrection, he conquered the ultimate enemy – Death. From being the gravest consequence of Original Sin, death becomes the pathway to eternal happiness. Hence, Easter, first and foremost, is the celebration of forgiveness – the reconciliation of heaven and earth.

It is also an event of faith for it throws all human reason into confusion. Without the eye of faith, the event of the Resurrection would make no sense. It would be complete illogical for a man to die and then come back to life three days later. It would not only be illogical, but indeed impossible. But did the Angel Gabriel not say, “Nothing is impossible for God” (Luke 1:37)? We believe in the Resurrection because, in faith, we believe in the impossible, because we believe in God with whom everything is possible.

Finally, the Resurrection is the event of Hope – the hope beyond all hopes.

One of the most beautiful symbolism of the Easter season is the Paschal candle. During the celebration of the Vigil, when the church is filled with complete darkness, the only source of light is that of the Paschal candle. It symbolizes Christ who is the light of the world. He who is light is our hope in the midst of the darkness of our lives.

This darkness takes on many forms. It can be the darkness of addiction, of sins, of anger, of resentment, of sadness, of despairs. Whatever it is, it naturally generates fear and a sense of imprisonment.

Christ’s resurrection is the seed of hope. That is as he has conquered the darkness of death and the imprisonment of the tomb, he will liberate us from our own darkness. We need not to be afraid for he has conquered the world (cf. John 16:33).

Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, is our hope. He will dispel the darkness which imprisons us just as the Scriptures have said,

The people walking in darkness
   have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
   a light has dawned (Isaiah 9:2)

Christ is our forgiveness. He is the reason for our faith. He is the source of our hope!

Alleluia!