"He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia"
Today's Mass Readings
The days after Easter are my most favourite days in the liturgical year. After a very hectic Holy week, gathering to celebrate the Eucharist on Easter Monday morning is a very special experience. Gathered in a small chapel, gives me a feeling of the intrigue, the excitement, and eerie feeling that the disciples must have had. On the one hand there is uncertainty, intrigue, fear, despair and loneliness. On the other hand, in the midst of all this is hope – hope that perhaps not all is lost yet. The first sentence of today’s gospel reading describes this mixed feeling in the words, “fearful yet overjoyed.” Some of the disciples had seen him; others were still waiting. And then, from nowhere the Lord himself appears in their midst. The same happens in the Eucharist. Receiving the body and blood of Christ on Easter Monday morning is a special experience. In the coming days, the first reading will introduce us to the life the early Christian community after the resurrection of Jesus. The gospel readings will continue to recount the different resurrection appearances of Jesus. They are meant to deepen our faith both in Jesus and his Church.
The crucifixion and the death of Jesus were gruesome events. Each of the disciples, especially those who were witness to it were perhaps afraid that the same fate awaited them. However, Jesus’ appearance strengthens them beyond any fear or despair. Filled with the Holy Spirit, in today’s first reading, Peter who once denied Jesus now boldly proclaims the “good news.”
The picture we get of the early church is a picture of what the church and each of us must be like today – deeply convinced of the presence of Jesus in our midst and fearlessly proclaiming it to the world. In light of this message, our lives take on a very special meaning. Each individual Christian is Christ’s sanctuary and every word and action of ours a proclamation.
I suggest that we read the scripture for mass each day during this Easter season and relive the life of the early church in our own lives.