(Please read the Scripture passage before reading the homily.)
It is Pentecost Day, the fiftieth and the last day of the annual Easter celebration. It is Pentecost, according to the Acts of the Apostles; but for us, Pentecost is June 5 this year and today is April 18, the Monday of Easter Week.
We shall spend fifty days pondering the depths of the Easter mystery. Easter and Pentecost are the two sides of the same coin called the Paschal Mystery, or the mystery of the resurrection and glorification of the Lord Jesus.
In John’s account in the Gospel, the Resurrection and the giving of the Holy Spirit both happen of Easter Sunday. In Luke’s account, the fullness of Christ’s glorification, the gift of the Holy Spirit, happens on Pentecost. For us, it takes fifty days to celebrate this unique event. We say yes to John’s account, as we celebrate according to Luke’s account.
Peter, then speaks to us today. This hope of resurrection goes way back in our history, back to David the great king of Israel. He looked forward to a resurrection and a renewed life. He died and was buried; we still have his tomb. He saw, however, somehow, a future time, a today, when God would bring someone safely through death without any corruption, by bringing him back to life. This Jesus died and was buried, but his tomb is of no importance to us since this Jesus is raised from the dead.
Only dead people, like King David, need tombs; the living, like Jesus, do not. There are two places near Jerusalem that are venerated as Jesus’ tomb, but this does not matter because Jesus has no need of a tomb because he is alive. This is the mystery of Easter.
Since Jesus is alive, we also shall remain alive even through physical death. The promise made to David and fulfilled in Jesus, is fulfilled likewise in all who believe in Jesus.