Shroud an Empty Grave Marker a Gift of Love and Faith.

Easter Sunday Morning Homily Year B

In the Gospel of Jn cpt. 12 Jesus says I quote: “And when I’m lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

Jesus of Nazareth the Son of God Incarnate raised on the cross on Good Friday. And by God’s Love and justice, Risen from the dead alive and well, now and forever, on Easter Sunday. Happy Easter Christ is risen Alleluia alleluia Amen

Ever since then, God’s gift of Love and Faith has quietly drawn countless hearts to gaze at Jesus lifted on the Cross and rising from the grave. " By dying, he has destroyed our death and by raising restored our life.” Amen, Alleluia.

Love and Fatih have drawn us together early this Easter morning, to celebrate the Pascal Mystery of our Salvation, dying and rising with Christ in our baptismal promises. We enter the empty tomb following St. Peter and the disciple Jesus loves and see the empty burial clothes Jesus left behind. To See and Believe. No thief would unwarp a dead body. And what thief would unwrap a dead body to steal it!

Since 1898, after the Italian photographer Secondo Pia released the negative photos of the Shroud, many have come to believe from historical and modern scientific evidence that the Shroud of Turin, bearing the full facial and body image of a crucified Jewish man, could be none other than the burial cloths of Jesus of Nazareth in our Gospel. Christ the King has left behind another precious gift of Love and Faith, his grave marker with his image at the moment of his resurrection, his selfie, if you will, to draw even the most skeptical unbeliever to see and believe and love Jesus

In a month, we will celebrate Jesus's lifting from the earth at his Ascension to complete his journey for everyone following his way to heaven. And today, once again, he will be lifted up at his Eucharistic Altar, Body, Blood, Soul, and divinity, to nourish and strengthen us on the journey to see ourselves lifted up in Jesus regardless of our troubles and to lift each other up in Christ, and draw us close in faith and love, making us like magnets empowered by the Holy Spirit in this world, drawing others to the love of God and faith in the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.