SUNRISES, SON-RISES, SURPRISES: THE 'HOUR' MEETS THE 'DAY!' IT'S EASTER!

Today, as the sun rises, so does the Son, and with Him surprises that transform sorrows into joyful songs. This is the moment when the ‘Hour’ of suffering meets the ‘Day’ of glory. It’s Easter - and everything has changed!

1. From Darkness to Dawn: The Sunrise that Changed the World

Today, on Easter Day, we stand before an empty tomb, and strangely enough, this “emptiness” does not leave us hollow, but full - with hope, joy, and life!

When Jesus rose, He didn’t just rise for Himself. The stone was rolled away so that we too could walk out - from sin to grace, from despair to hope, from death to life. This is the ‘Son-Rise’ that transforms our entire existence!

2. The Son-Rise that Brought Surprise

The first Easter morning was packed with surprises. Mary Magdalene and the other women came expecting a sealed tomb and a cold corpse. Instead, they were shocked to find the stone rolled away, and the body gone.

The angels asked them: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (Lk 24:5)

Who could have imagined this?

Not after the scourging… not after the cross… not after the sword… not after the burial!

This was not just a surprise—it was a holy shockwave that shook history!

As Venerable Fulton Sheen insightfully said: “The believers did not believe. The opposers did.”

It was the surprise of the empty tomb, the angelic message, and the personal encounter with Jesus that transformed their doubt into faith.

Are there stones that are rolled over your dreams, over your future and over your life? Then, trust! God will roll it away for you. He will bless you with the surprises of love”

3. The Hour That Met the Day

“The Hour” was a deep mystery that the Lord constantly referred to, during his talk with the disciples. This “hour” was the “hour of the Lord’s Betrayal, Passion and Death!”

Now, ‘the Hour of pain’ has passed and the ‘the Day of victory’ has dawned!

On this glorious day, Jesus says to each of us: “You don’t have to fight your way out of the grave; I have already won your victory! Your Hour will pass. Your Day is at hand!”

4. When the Grave Gives Way to Grace

We are called to rise with Him, not just symbolically, but in real transformation of life. Let us not remain in our own tombs of fear, anxiety, and doubt.

Let us run to the empty tomb, face the emptiness within us, hear the words of the angel that call us to hope and encounter the Risen One in our hearts and lives!

Easter means walking out of darkness and stepping into the marvellous light of the Lord!

5. Surprised by Encouragement: “Do Not Be Afraid!”

Amid grief, confusion, and fear, Easter comes with the Divine Encouragement: “Do not be afraid!” (Mt 28:5,10)

The women at the tomb were afraid.

The disciples were hiding in fear.

Today, we too are anxious and overwhelmed by our own struggles.

But Jesus says, “Peace be with you!”

Let His gentle voice whisper to you: “Do not be afraid, My child. I am with you always.”

In our loneliness, let us hear His presence.

In our failures, let us trust His forgiveness.

In our despair, let us cling to His resurrection power.

6. We are an Easter People: Living the Risen Life!

Pope St. John Paul II reminds us: “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our song!”

Yes, we are an Easter people, called to:

Radiate love in a world of hate

Shine hope in the face of despair

Sing joy even in moments of suffering

Let every sunrise remind us of the ‘Son-Rise’ that changed everything.

Let struggles in life lead us to the greater surprises of God’s love and mercy.

And let every ‘Hour’ of pain be a pathway to the ‘Day’ of His glory.

Happy Easter to one and all!

May your hearts rise with Him, your lives be filled with His peace, and your lips sing always: “Alleluia! He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!”

God Bless! Live Jesus… forever and ever!

-        Fr. Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS (reflectioncapsules@gmail.com)