On October 14, 1987, a toddler named Jessica McClure was playing in her aunt’s backyard when she fell into an abandoned well, becoming wedged in a narrow crevice 22 feet below the surface. As rescue operations began, reporters and television crews descended upon Midland, Texas, where Jessica’s teenage parents were struggling to make a living. Glued to their tv’s, people around the world learned that “Baby Jessica,” as she was famously called, spent her time underground sleeping, crying, singing songs, and calling for her mother. They watched as emergency workers piped fresh air down the well, burrowed through solid rock to create a rescue shaft and, more than 58 hours after her ordeal began, hauled the frightened but alert toddler out of her cramped, dark prison.
In January, 1945, 121 volunteer U.S. Army Rangers set out to rescue more than 500 allied prisoners of war who had already survived the Bataan Death March, a brutal multi-day forced walk through the searing heat of the Philippine jungles. The POW’s were held in a notoriously brutal camp which was seen as the end of the line for the unlucky souls in captivity. To free their fellow soldiers, the Rangers snuck behind enemy lines and launched a surprise attack on the Japanese. The assault lasted 30 minutes and freed hundreds of soldiers, with minimal American casualties.
These stories are just a couple of the countless, amazing moments where human life has been saved through courage, persistence, and ingenuity. People love the story of a successful rescue. In recent times we can think back to the miraculous rescue of 33 miners from a collapsed mine in Chile which took over two months or the "miracle on the Hudson” where all 155 passengers and crew were rescued after splashing down in the Hudson River.
In each of these cases, when people heard about these rescues, they were the talk of the town. There were celebrations, parades, and even trips to Disneyland. It was the topic of conversation everywhere and everyone felt good about the successful outcome. But over time, the memory of these miracles faded. In just a few years many people struggle to remember the details of what exactly happened or how amazing it was. Of course, it’s safe to say that those who were rescued never forgot the joy of being saved or the gratitude they felt towards those who helped them. More than likely, they gave thanks daily for their “second chance”, their new lease on life.
One of the great doctors of our Church, St. John Chrysostom, exclaims that each and every one of us has been rescued by the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. Easter Sunday is the celebration, throughout the entire world, of the most important rescue that ever did and ever will happen. Before Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, humanity was trapped in the darkness of sin and death, unleashed by the original sin of Adam and Eve. We were completely unable to help ourselves regain friendship with God or enjoy the rest of heaven. Death had the final word and we were powerless in its grip.
Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead, we were given another chance. Death no longer reigned supreme. Christ showed us he could defeat this ancient enemy when he rose from that tomb in Palestine, some 2000 years ago.
One of the dangers for you and me, is that we have heard this story before. It happened a long time ago. We might feel far removed from that daring and life-saving rescue which changed the course of our world and our own personal destiny. We might even be at risk of being ungrateful to the Lord or unaffected by his heroic sacrifice which set us free.
Which is why our Church calls us to pull out all the stops in our celebration (tonight) today. It’s why we will bask in the glory of the resurrection for the next 50 days of the Easter season until it ends with Pentecost. This is why we are asked to come to Mass each and every Sunday to join together in the saving sacrifice of the cross, right here at the altar. Those who remember are grateful and those who are grateful make sure their rescue is never forgotten and the sacrifices that were made were not in vain.
Easter Sunday is a joyful reminder to say thank you to the God who rescued our souls. It is a reminder that Jesus loved each of us so much he died for our sins and made it possible for us to be with him in heaven. Today, as we gather with friends and family to celebrate and enjoy time together, let’s make sure we don’t neglect to thank the very person who gave everything so we would no longer be trapped by sin and death. Let us not forget His sacrifice! Every Sunday is a little Easter and every time we come to Mass, we say “thank you” to God for setting us free from the clutches of sin and death.
May the joy and peace of Easter fill our hearts and homes. May we never take this gift of salvation for granted or fail to thank our heavenly rescuer, Jesus Christ, risen and victorious forever!
