Monday in the Octave of Easter
“We are a resurrection people, and our song is ‘Alleluia’.”(St. Augustine) As we celebrate Easter, what does it mean that the Risen Christ is present today in our lives?
In the first reading, Peter tells the crowd at Pentecost how Jesus was killed, but “God raised him up releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it.” Jesus suffered intense physical, emotional, and mental anguish. He knows in the fullest sense what it means to suffer as a human. By the acceptance of His passion and death, Jesus reveals God’s deepest love for us by showing us that God literally knows our pain. When we suffer, God knows that suffering, and we are not alone in that pain.
Jesus story reveals even more- death is not the final word. Although Jesus suffers and dies, God in His great love wants everyone to know that new life follows those who die. Whether these are small “deaths” in our daily living or the final death when our physical life is complete- God promises transformation and new beginnings to those who trust in Him and His will.
The Risen Christ in today’s gospel reading tells us “Do not be afraid” and “Go- and there they will see me.” When we are Resurrection People we are called to live in hope and joy and we are also called to lead others to the Risen Christ.
A recent experience allowed me to experience the Risen Christ in my life. I have a close childhood friend who is at the end stage of cancer. Over the past several years I have made an effort to spend time with her (we would call these visits our adventures) where we would take walks, visit the zoo, go to lunch and mainly share life. Our most recent “adventure” was quite different. She had been unable to eat or drink for days, so I had the privilege of accompanying her to the treatment center for fluids and treatment. We spent the day sharing stories and memories and just being present to one another. As I reflected on this experience, I believe that we were Christ to each other. When I was with her, I felt that in some way she represented Christ, and I was walking with Him through His passion. In a different way, I felt like I was Christ to her. When Jesus says that He is with us always, I believe that He uses us to be His presence. As I sat by her bedside, I believe I was Christ to her as I shared in her suffering. At the end of the day, my friend was well enough to return home. Even though we both knew that there was still a road ahead with more difficulties, there was a deep sense of peace. The love that was shared (the love of Christ) gave each of us a sense that death was not going to have the final word. I hope that in some way my visit allowed me to tell her “do not be afraid” and “there you shall see Him (Jesus)” I believe that the Risen Christ was very alive on our “adventure” that day- I hope and pray that I will have more opportunities to share the Risen Christ with my friend before she meets Him face to face.
Being Resurrection people does not mean that there will not be hardship; in fact there can be no resurrection without death. Our belief in the Risen Christ allows us to trust in Him even when all seems hopeless. When we believe in the resurrection we can boldly say, “Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.” (Ps 16) If we believe that Christ is present with us in our sufferings, and leads us to our resurrected lives with Him, then the song we sing can be a joyful “alleluia!”
Father, Your Son Jesus shows us the depth of your love through His passion, death and resurrection. Pour forth Your Spirit upon us, so we can know Your love, and therefore we can walk in hope as “alleluia” people both in life and death. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen.
- Marylynn Herchline