Friday in the Octave of Easter
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it. (Ps 118:22-24)
Both the first reading and the psalm call attention to Jesus as the cornerstone. A cornerstone is historically the first stone placed for the building’s foundation, typically strong, solid, and often beautiful. Today, cornerstones are strategically positioned for prominence, often inscribed with a date of establishment or commemoration of something significant. However, in our case the builders turned (and often continue to) our backs on Christ, rejecting him, rejecting the love of the Father. Yet Christ fulfills his promise; he is our savior, the cornerstone.
In the gospel for today, we read about Jesus revealing himself to his disciples for the third time following his resurrection. Upon first seeing him on the shore after a long night of unsuccessful fishing, they did not recognize that it was Jesus. But after Jesus instructs them to cast their nets one more time, it is once again via the incredible abundance of God and in the breaking of the bread that they come to recognize him.
Last Thursday, as my older three–ages 8, 6, and 4–were getting ready to leave CJ at the end of the day, we took a moment to stop in the chapel and have a discussion about the Triduum. We talked about everything from the empty tabernacle, the bare altar, the crucifixion and death of Jesus, and the hope of the resurrection. As is my custom with them, they resonate with the context of superpowers–their current favorite heroes being Super Mario Bros, Sonic, and Elsa. Jesus went to the cross; died; and then rose on the third day, Easter! What is this great power that Christ wields in the Triduum? Love. We are so deeply loved that God became human so that humanity may be reconciled with God.
On Easter, the boys now understand that we have been waiting all of Lent to say ‘Alleluia!’ once more, so it is joyful and exciting to hear our 6-year-old belting it out during mass. He is risen indeed! As Christians, we are a people of hope. In the resurrection, Jesus has fulfilled our longing for joy. However, Easter is not just a one day event. How can we continue to celebrate the joy and hope of Easter throughout the entire year? This week, let us be reminded to continue recognizing Jesus, in each other, our neighbors, the world around us, and the opportunities to be renewed by his saving (super) power! May the good God bless us this Easter Friday. May the hope and salvation brought forth by the Easter season reinvigorate us as we go forth proclaiming the Good news: “Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom [was] crucified, whom God raised from the dead. There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” (Acts 4:10b,12)
Peace,
Brandon Meyer