He is risen!
Yes, yes, we have heard. But what does that mean? What just happened?
Imagine the confusion in those days following the resurrection of our Lord. Shock. Amazement. Doubt. Disbelief. Fear. The passions must have been raging in the hearts of men and women. They had just lived through a horrific scene – a community divided between Jesus and Barabbas, a brutal scourge, a humiliating walk and a slow, agonizing death on a cross.
And now this? Word has come that this Jesus is alive?
Perhaps even today there is confusion as to what this all means … and why are we still talking about it?
Of course, today, more than 2,000 years later, we know that we have just observed the most important of all Christian holidays … the single biggest chapter of our salvation history. Few understood that back then. Many still don’t today.
Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles recounts how eloquently Peter was able to draw that salvation line back to David and his Psalms … back to Old Testament times. He begins to connect the dots.
“My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.”
Enlighted by the flames of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles are given the gift of knowledge and understanding about the events of Calvary and how they relate back and give new meaning to the stories that had been told and retold for many, many years.
Peter has never stopped preaching the good news of the Gospel. Although he is now gone, his legacy, the Church, continues the mission of unlocking the mysteries of our salvation history.
These scriptures were written and these events took place so long ago. But they come alive whenever we read them and whenever we gather in the Liturgy to encounter Christ in the Eucharist.
So, do this the next time you are at Mass.
After hearing the stories and the message of the Liturgy of the Word; then watching as the events of the Passion are re-presented on the altar, you will be ready to participate in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. As you make your way to the altar, think about Mary and how she must have felt when she encountered the risen Lord that day long ago.
“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
They felt fear, but joy. They could not wait to tell the apostles what they had learned. Then they saw Jesus and embraced him immediately.
What are we thinking as we approach Jesus in the Eucharist? Are we eager to embrace him, like Mary?
Yes … He is risen! Long, long ago …
But today He wants to come to life in our hearts, our minds and our souls!
Pay attention. Be alert. Don’t let the incredible events of last weekend melt away like a chocolate bunny. Keep them close to your heart.
Ponder the many dots in your own life and ask Jesus to help you connect them so that you may understand your own salvation history.
Indeed, the Greatest Story Ever Told … is still happening today.
