Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter
We’re in the first quarter of the octave of Easter, and our first reading has us jumping ahead 48 days to Pentecost. Why did the Church place this reading on this day? It reminds me of Stephen Covey’s prescription to “begin with the end in mind.” We’re beginning a fifty day season of Easter resurrection joy; where do we want to end? Perhaps Easter is a pep rally ahead of the sending mission of Pentecost, when we gleefully recall that victory over sin and death is ours in Christ. Perhaps we celebrate and act on our fundamental destination as the Church and as individuals. In an equal and opposite way as Lent, the Easter season is a gift that will hopefully change us for the better.
How will this season change you? How does the joy of knowing all things are being made new change you? For so long a cloud of doom and uncertainly has hung over us. Our societal sinfulness is very apparent. Yet our Lord’s action in the world cannot be stopped by anything, even death. Mary Magdalene thought it was a time for mourning, but Jesus surprised her in his living Body and send her immediately to spread the word. Joy impels us to act. We are rising above and beyond the darkness. Thanks be to God! Is there anyone you know who needs some spiritual cheering up? Is there anyone you know who doesn’t? The Paschal Mystery is on display in our world events and in the season of Spring; people are primed to hear the good news.
When Easter is over, it will be time for a summer of Kingdom work. The Holy Spirit is getting us ready. It took the disciples a few weeks to move from hiding inside to courageously building the Kingdom; we are no different. For most people, the meaning of this Easter will not flash into our minds in a moment. Instead, it will become apparent over time as we let the Good News of the Kingdom sink in, germinate, and bloom as works of Mercy, Charity, and Justice. Our ultimate end, as a Church, is to proclaim the Kingdom of God to the world, and get it ready for the second coming. May our celebration and contemplation of the Easter miracle prepare us to accomplish the mission our God gives us.
Chris Nieport