EASTER
Easter is a time of joy. It is a time to put behind us all of our fears and our sorrows.
Jesus has shown us that even death can be overcome. What else do we have to
fear?
PRAYER
Jesus, your resurrection began when you were able to say: "Father, forgive
them." Help me to rise above my anger, fear and whatever stands in the way of
my resurrection. Help me forgive myself and others.
REFLECTION
Magdalen did not recognize Jesus when she met him. She was looking for a
corpse to anoint.
The disciples on the road to Emmaus were so intrigued with his knowledge of
scripture that they didn't recognize him. The apostles were so frightened they
hardly knew what was going on.
Is there a risen Christ in my life this Easter? In other words, has some part of my
life changed as a result of this Lenten experience? How am I going to recognize
this risen Christ in my life this Easter? Am I still looking for a corpse in my life?
Still buried with some past sin I can't forgive? Is there still someone in my life
(including myself) I can not forgive?
Am I like the disciples on the road to Emmaus? So intrigued with the past?
marveling at the wonders of the scripture? never applying those truths to my life
today? These disciples were so caught up in their grief they didn't believe the
rumors that he had risen. Even when they saw Jesus they failed to recognize him.
This was the longest appearance of the risen Jesus. The others were short. In this
appearance Jesus walked three or four miles with them, stayed
with them as they prepared a meal. Only in the breaking of the bread did they
recognize him.
Or am I like the Apostles, still mired in guilt and fear? These were the men closest
to Jesus. They shared his most intense moments. As they travelled together they
were able to see intimate aspects of Jesus that no one else ever saw. Still they
were the last to experience his risen presence. Intimate experiences with Jesus
are not enough. They can even lead to fear and guilt as the apostles show us. We
need to overcome our fear and guilt, our fear of death, our grief at the loss of
someone and allow ourselves to experience their living presence among us.
ACTION
Magdalen only recognized Jesus when she was able to put aside her belief that he
was death. She saw the risen Christ and thought he was the gardener. She was
still intent on anointing the corpse. What are the corpses I still hang on to in my
life? What do I need to bury? Do it.
When you think about loved ones who have died do something to acknowledge
their living presence. Talk to them. Set a place at table for them. Do something
good in their memory. Give a gift to a church, a school, a needy family, a nursing
home in their honor and their name. Make their presence felt even in their death.
Make sure you worship and cherish the risen Christ not Jesus on the cross or in
the tomb. The entire experience of Jesus' arrest, trial, suffering, and death was a
matter of a few hours. His life and his miracles and healiongs took place over
several years. Still we emphasize those last few hours. Make a greater attempt
this easter to emphasize life not death, resurrection not suffering and death.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
One of the books of the New Testament tells us that over 250 persons witnessed
the resurrection of Jesus. However, no more than 20 or 25 names are listed. Who
were the other persons who
witnessed the Resurrection of the Lord?
Magdalen, Johanna, Salome, "the other Mary", as well as the eleven apostles are
listed among those who witnessed the resurrection of the Lord. But who were the
others?
Mary, the mother of Jesus certainly must have been one of them. Jesus was so
solicitous for her welfare. He entrusted her to John's care as he hung on the
cross. Mary was there when the Spirit appeared on Pentecost.
One thing we forget about Mary. Mary had to forgive the eleven apostles in the
same way that Jesus forgave them. It was easier for her once she experienced
the risen Lord but still she was a mother whose son had been brutally murdered.
These men who were her Son's closest followers had abandoned him. They
probably would not have been able to save Jesus. However, it sure would have
been more comfort to Jesus if they had been there and not run away like a bunch
of cowards. Peter even denied that he knew Jesus. That Mary was there with
them during that time from Easter to Pentecost was evidence of their
reconciliation.
Another person who might have been there was the woman at the well. She was
one of the first Christian missionaries. She had everything going against her. She
was a woman in a society much more male dominated and oriented than our own
today. She was a Samaritan. Jews did not talk to Samaritans who were thought to
have abandoned their Jewish faith. And then she was a public sinner.
She had violated one of the most sacred of their laws. She was divorced, not once
but five times. The man she was living with was not her husband.
Despite all that went against her Jesus realized that she had something to offer
him. As he sat at the well he asked her for a drink of water. No matter what our
background, our religious upbringing or lack of it, our moral conduct we do have
something to offer to Jesus Christ.
TO CONTINUE