EASTER MEANS JESUS IS WITH US

BASED ON THE  READINGS – ACTS OF THE APSOTELS 3: 1-10 AND LUKE 24:13-35

The Church has given us 8 full days to stand at the empty tomb and ponder the meaning of the resurrection. It is really an invitation for us to meet the Risen One personally and to recognize his life-giving action in the events of history and especially our daily lives.

We are called to take time this week and reflect on our lives and discover how our hearts were warmed, were burning, when the Lord walked with us.

Perhaps our memory is a time when we felt like the man at the Temple gate looking for some help in our lives. Believing what the world had to offer was what we needed. Only to discover, as Saint Peter did, speaking really on behalf of Jesus, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have to give you is the power of Jesus of Nazareth and can raise us up out of our troubles.”

Or maybe we recall a moment when we just felt overwhelmed by life; perhaps grieving the loss of a job, or simply a major change in life to our situation or status, or grieving the death of someone close to us. . .. and as we look back we see how Jesus was walking beside us.

The resurrection promises that Jesus is with us. He walks with us in our journey of life. There is never a time when he is absent, but times when we are inattentive or caught up in our thoughts.

Our response to this promise is simple When we gather for liturgy, especially the Mass, when we hear the scriptures read – we say: “Thanks be to God.” When the host is elevated, we say, as St Thomas did: “My Lord and My God.”

So our pray this week, as Pope Benedict stated in one of his homilies during the Octave of Easter:

Dear brothers and sisters, may the joy of these days strengthen our faithful attachment to the Crucified and Risen Christ. Above all, may we let ourselves be won over by the fascination of his Resurrection. May Mary help us to be messengers of the light and joy of Easter for all our brethren. I say again:  Happy Easter.

FOR YOUR EASTER REFLECTION

 

Artist: John Freda – His painting, Jesus appears to Mary, is in the chapel at Loyola House, Guelph Ontario. Main idea for painting inspired by John English S.J. former director

FOR YOUR EASTER REFLECTION 

Remember, begin by asking the Lord to make you aware in His presence and offering to Him your time and your self. Where this fits in salvation history. Jesus had died on the cross and His Spirit had gone down among the dead to declare the great Good News that they will rise on the day the Father has appointed. Then His Spirt returns to the tomb and inspires His cold, battered flesh, Straightway, He goes to His mother, the Lady Mary.

v  Imagine His coming to her. Stay to hear what they say, to see what they do, and to let them share with you what they experienced together.

v  Consider, then, that Jesus Christ is God and mighty Lord. How did he manifest His divinity to His mother?

v  Consider, too how He consoled His mother after her sufferings.

v  The talk with Jesus or His Mother, or with the Father.     End with the Lord’s Prayer.