B: Easter Sunday (4 Apr 2021) - ESSENTIALS (Acts 10:34, 37-43)

What are essentials? The term essential is derived from the Latin verb “esse,” the infinitive form of the linking verb “to be.” Since such a verb is normally used to qualify the nature of its subject, its English cognates (e.g., essence, essential, and essentially) become associated with what makes a thing what it is, philosophically speaking. However, determining “essence” in practice is not without difficulty since perspectives may differ from person to person, or from society to society. For instance, religion may be important for some social groups, but for others it is not; or freedom of expression of citizens may be valued by some nations, but not by others.

Yet, there is one thing that is definitely essential for any community. It is food, which all human persons need on a daily basis to subsist in this world. Interestingly, the German word “essen” means “food” or “to eat,” which indirectly insinuates that “essen-tial” refers to food, which is something staple for survival. Thus, despite differences in viewpoints, all people truly need food, making it essential at all times and places. Sadly, at the height of the second or third wave of the pandemic, societies these days tend to neglect this essential thing. Most are rather concerned on how to relax during the Easter break: to enjoy the sun, to reunite with friends, and to breathe some fresh air along beaches and vacation spots. For this reason, many are earnestly seeking on receiving immediate vaccinations and on the lifting of travel restrictions despite the reality that COVID-19 continues to linger and even mutate into more lethal variants.

While they worry about their self-acclaimed need for leisure, nobody seems to worry about the welfare of the most vulnerable sectors of the society. How about the poor and the marginalized..., who dare to be concerned on the sustenance of their families? Who are looking after their survival, given that most of them had already lost their jobs or opportunities to earn their daily bread? What happens when they are struck with the virus? Will they just be left to perish in the open, fighting the virus by their sheer determination? Miserably, they will be consigned to face their own Good Fridays, without any hope for the arrival of their own Easters.

Meanwhile, Easter Sunday reminds us of the reality of Jesus’ victory over death by his rising after three days. Indeed, Resurrection is the most essential doctrine in our Christian faith for without it, Christianity loses its meaning. In this regard, St. Paul remarked, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Cor 14:14). The apostles, who had received the mandate to proclaim this truth, commenced on this mission on Pentecost Sunday after receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13). After Peter’s celebrated sermon (vv. 14-36), three thousand pilgrims were instantly baptized (v. 41). However, despite this openness to the inclusion of all ethnic groups into the Jesus-movement, still, for the apostles, salvation was to be received first by the Jews ahead of non-Jews (cf. Jn 4:22). Thus, they remained hesitant on sharing this blessing of salvation to people outside their Jewish circle.

To illustrate, Peter was quite hesitant to enter into the house of Cornelius, whom he treated as a Gentile in every way, viz., Roman by birth, non-Jewish by cultural heritage, and foreigner to Palestine (cf. Acts 10:1). But because of an earlier vision concerning the mixture of so-called profane and sacred foods (vv. 9-16), Peter finally went to Caesarea where Cornelius and his family were residing (v. 24). Bravely, Peter defended his reception of Cornelius to the crowd gathered there, saying, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with, or visit, a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean” (v. 28). After summarizing the essentials of the doctrine on Jesus, particularly on his resurrection (v. 40), he baptized the whole house of Cornelius in Jesus’ name (v. 48).

The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus is truly the most essential truth in Christianity. But resurrecting others from their misery and pain is the most essential mission of every Christian.

- Rex Fortes, CM