March 27, 2016
Easter
On Holy Saturday morning our Elect (Lisa, Jen and Justin) confessed their new faith using the Apostles Creed in anticipation of their initiation into the Church during the Easter Vigil. I was struck by the phrase: Jesus “descended into hell.†It is not the hell of fire and damnation but the abode of the dead before resurrection. Sheol in Hebrew, Hades in Greek. To me this phrase “descended into hell†describes what happened to people in Belgium after the explosions at the airport and in the train tunnel. A nation experiences shock, disbelief, fear and turmoil after the senseless violence. We see Belgians coming together keeping vigil with heightened security and in solidarity in the face of such evil.
After the trauma of the death of Jesus, crucified and executed on the cross, the disciples “enter into hell†as reality sinks in. Jesus is dead. But the custom of anointing his lifeless body still has meaning as a gesture of love for the women who come to the tomb. The stone is rolled back. The body is gone. Puzzled and perplexed they see two men in dazzling white. Bowing before these angelic messengers, the women hear the startling news that Jesus has been raised. They remember the words of Jesus. The women go and tell the 11 apostles and others what they saw and heard but their account is dismissed. Peter runs to the tomb and finds the burials cloths. He leaves amazed. The women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James) and Peter will come to deep faith in the resurrection when Jesus, the Risen Lord, appears to them and says†“Peace be with you.â€
Lisa and Jen are like the women who bring us the unbelievable news that Jesus has been raised. Justin is like Peter who senses something wonderful has happened. In the Gospel according to St. Luke, the community comes to awareness of the hidden and abiding presence of Jesus when they gathered in Eucharist. “Were not our hearts burning while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us†(Luke 24:32) and “He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread†(Luke 24:35). In the face of evil and violence in our world let us go forth with a message of hope and peace. God is with us in Jesus Christ.
Previous:
Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord's Supper
Next:
2nd Sunday of Easter
