April 08, 2012
Easter
Before my mom's funeral Mass the pastor explained a discovery: my dad's body was on the wrong side. He apologized and assured me that after the cemetery service the vault company would rearrange the coffins. I said: "No need -- it doesn't make any difference if my mother is on the right or left of my father." Mary of Magdala finds an empty tomb where she expected to anoint the body of Jesus. With questions in her mind and fear in her heart she hurries to tell Simon Peter and the Beloved Disciple. They run to the tomb and peer in. What are they to make of the empty tomb. It points to a mystery that they are just beginning to comprehend. Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified, has been raised. What is happening? How do they come to see and to believe? Jesus appears to them. They see the Risen Lord. They feel his presence when they gather for prayer, reflection on the Word and Breaking of the Bread. They recognize him at worship and are empowered to continue his mission. After our long Lenten fast, our senses are sharp. We see the light of the Easter candle. We see and smell the flowers. We hear the music and Sacred Scripture proclaimed. We feel water sprinkled on our skin. We dare to taste and consume the bread and wine, the Body and Blood of Christ. We see Ashley, Barrett and Alexandra at the Easter Vigil being initiated into very faith we profess. We see, the Risen Lord, present and hidden in our assembly. Like Mary of Magdala we need to tell someone, to share His life. The Resurrection of Christ is experienced within a believing community and proclaimed to the world.
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