Month: April 2015

Easter Friday

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Readings: Acts 4:1–12; Psalm 118:1–2, 4, 22–27a; John 21:1–14.

Can you imagine Our Lord helping you at work or cooking you breakfast? The Gospel today reminds us that after his earthly mission Jesus works behind the scenes and chooses to reveal himself when it’s necessary. In the accounts we’ve considered so far the Risen Christ chooses to reveal himself; John in this account says that this was the third time Jesus had revealed himself to the disciples since his resurrection. He is always with us. He’s at our workplace, in our kitchen, and at school. He works miracles and kindnesses every day, but he stays very low key.

John recognizes Our Lord’s handiwork today in the great catch after a night fishing. Peter only needs to hear that Jesus is near to drop everything and head toward him. Let’s thank Our Lord for all the little miracles and kindnesses he grants us every day, and when we do spot his handiwork from time to time, let’s draw nearer to him to thank him. When our work seems fruitless, remember that Our Lord blesses our perseverance sooner or later.

Easter Thursday

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Readings: Acts 3:11–26; Psalm 8:2ab, 5–9; Gospel Luke 24:35–48.

Today’s readings remind us that Jesus even today is not only alive and well, but he is active. In the First Reading St. Peter is clear that the miraculous healing that has taken place was done in the power and name of Jesus. In every celebration of a sacrament Jesus continues to sanctify us and in the Eucharist he is really among us.

The Gospel today reminds us that Jesus is real, even today. He’s not just a memory, a historical figure who made a great impact on history. He’s not a ghost, something not quite dead that haunts our conscience and makes us uneasy wondering where he is or what he is doing. He’s active and present in our lives, whether we’re aware of it or not, and more real and alive than we could ever imagine.

Just as he gave the disciples signs that he was truly alive, don’t be afraid to ask him to reveal himself to you in the daily events of your life. It’s not a question of if he is present and active in our lives, but whether we realize he is. Don’t be shy about speaking with him in those silent moments of the day and asking him what he thinks about your life.

Easter Wednesday

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Readings: Acts 3:1–10; Psalm 105:1–9; Luke 24:13–35.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus in today’s Gospel remind us that when the events of life just don’t seem to connect, or they don’t turn out as we expect, we need to listen more closely not only to what Our Lord is trying to tell us through situations and circumstance, but also what he has been trying to tell us all along. The disciples expected a type of savior and salvation that they didn’t get, and they couldn’t connect the dots on their own to understand what Jesus had been trying to teach them all along.

Jesus is the Word who connects all the dots in Sacred Scripture. He showed the disciples today how Sacred Scripture pointed to him, to what he must undergo, and to what would happen as a result. He wants to shed light on our lives through meditating on his words. If you’re having a hard time connecting the dots and understanding life, seek out Jesus in Sacred Scripture and he will help you to understand. Listen to him more closely and ask him to explain whatever you don’t understand about life. He always has an answer.

Easter Tuesday

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Readings: Acts 2:36–41; Psalm 33:4–5, 18–20, 22; John 20:11–18

In today’s Gospel we recall that agonizing moment for Mary Magdalene between discovering the empty tomb and meeting the Risen Lord. Mary had been brave and all she wanted was to show one last kindness to Our Lord before saying goodbye. It seems even that is denied to her as she discovers the tomb empty and no one knows where Jesus has been taken. She tells Peter and John and they look inside and return home speechless. After all these days of suffering her bravery is spent and she breaks down in tears. Angels appear to her and she only wants to know where Jesus has been taken so that she can get him back. Jesus himself doesn’t identify himself to her at first and she only wants to know where Jesus has been taken.

What an explosion of joy when Jesus calls her by name and she realizes that he is not dead and gone, but alive and well. Her dedication and devotion are rewarded beyond her wildest dreams: someone beloved and gone is present and alive. The Risen Lord teaches us today that no darkness or despair can stand the test of time in the light of his Resurrection. No matter how difficult or impossible a situation may seem, it will be overcome if we face it with love and hope.

Easter Monday

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Readings: Acts 2:14, 22–33; Psalm 16:1–2a, 5, 7–11; Matthew 28:8–15

Nobody likes a cover-up, because usually something bad that needs to be addressed is being covered up. In today’s Gospel something even worse is happening: something good is being covered up.

In some cultures Easter Monday is a holiday to recover from all the Easter festivities and on Tuesday everything is done. Spring Break in other cultures is the focus and is either ending or ended. Celebrating the solemnity of Easter has just begun: it lasts eight days, and then we continue into a whole Easter season.

Let’s not stop being witnesses to the Risen Christ. Let’s not be part of the cover-up. Let’s keep spreading the joy of the Risen Lord to everyone we meet.