Monday in the Octave of Easter
I have always found the readings during the Easter Season so very uplifting. The deep sorrow and confusion and loss of Holy Week is dashed away suddenly and replaced by a sense of hope and certitude, urgency and mission. Reading the stories of the early Church and the testimonies of the first disciples compels me to really think of what the Resurrection of Jesus means. Nothing is “as it seems” anymore. To the disciples, everything is changed. It means something so deep and wide and all encompassing that fear is completely cast aside. The only thing that matters to them is to spread the news of the Kingdom of God. And this commission means so much that all of them will die trying to fulfill it.
In the passage from Matthew’s Gospel, Mary Magdelene and the other Mary encounter the angel at the tomb of Jesus. They are surely confused and frightened but they do not hesitate or question what they are asked to do. Verse 28:8 says “Then they went away quickly from the tomb…and ran to announce this to his disciples”. These women probably did not fully understand what Jesus’ resurrection meant; they only knew that everything was changed and they must go and tell it. As they hurry to relate this to the others, Jesus meets them on the way. “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Mt 23:10) Even as this is happening, the authorities begin their efforts to cover up the truth of the Resurrection. In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter with the eleven at his side, addresses the people of Jerusalem on Pentecost. “… Men of Judea, he said, and all you who are dwelling in Jerusalem, I must tell you this; listen to what I have to say. Men of Israel, listen to this…” (Acts 2: 14, 22). Peter is preaching the fact of the Resurrection of Jesus. Filled with the Spirit of God, Peter and the others take on their mission in a very big way. They go into right into the middle of Jerusalem and preach to crowds of thousands. In these gatherings were the very people who persecuted, plotted against and eventually crucified Jesus. This same contingent would continue their persecution along with many others. Still the little band forged ahead. Each of the disciples has their particular story to tell. Each of them has their personal part to fulfill in this mission. And common to all of them is they live their lives completely centered and focused on trying their level best to respond in the fullest way to their call and commission. And they do it with unmitigated certitude and a deep sense of urgency. They certainly deal with constant resistance and outright disdain, fear and suffering. But in their calling, to live fully meant to live completely in service of the Risen Lord and the Reign of God. And they all died trying.
These passages are an amazing source of encouragement and inspiration for my personal life. It renews my desire to bring into clearer focus the implications of the Risen Jesus and how that will be expressed in my life. I want to daily live this mission with an unwavering certitude and a sense of urgency—just as those early disciples did. I want to try and grapple with all that is weakness inside me so that I can more fully live my part in Jesus’ mission. My part is small, but it is a part specifically given to me by the Risen Lord that can be accomplished only through me. I so want the grace to try harder. And at the time of my death, from very deepest parts of my heart and soul, I would like to be able to say to my Risen Lord that, at least, I died trying.
Holy Risen One, fill me with you Spirit.
Open my the eyes of my heart and soul
that I may understand more deeply
the meaning of your Resurrection in my life this day.
And in my final hour, by the intercession of your Mother,
may you look at me and know
that I passed from this world still trying.
AMEN. ALLELUIA!
Gail Lyman