Joyful Resurrection...

JOYFUL RESURRECTION. . .BUT NOW TELL THE WORLD ABOUT IT- WE CAN RELAX LATER!

April 22 - Third Sunday of Easter

This time the story of the Resurrection develops further. Last Sunday we had the astonishing and heartening description of the Master's first appearance to the frightened and dispirited disciples. They had run away from him in the Garden and - in spite of the fact that "the doors were locked" - were doubtless cowering in the apartment they occupied, expecting every minute that fatal knock telling them that a Roman soldier was
outside waiting to drag them off to prison and death. Instead they experienced the most wonderful surprise of their lives!

Today we find a considerable development of the story. In the First Reading in fact the disciples have not just left their safe haven but, under the massive power of the Holy Spirit received on the first Pentecost, have gone out to "share the word," led by the previously shaky Peter who calls all he can find to conversion - return to the Lord, change your ways, repent and reform. Conversion! What a joyful experience! Even speaking in general when we learn something new and our whole life is illuminated by hope and confidence.

The beautiful  Psalm 4  is the perfect Responsorial for the occasion.   Every line of it speaks to our hearts.  Except, for me, (and perhaps also for you) the last one.   The only time I fall peacefully asleep - or would like to - is when I have to get up. Oh, well . . .

St. John in the Second Reading is rather blunt. "Those who say they know the Lord but do not keep his Commandments are liars (!) " - strong language. We have made the same point many times ourselves, describing our wills as the important element in our relationship with the Master, not our feelings.  He ends with an important observation: " Whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him." This works both ways: the love of God begins the process, encouraging us to live well and, as we live well, He encourages us even more!

In the Gospel we are back again in the Upper Room but this time there is a new element: the two dispirited disciples on their way to Emmaus have had an amazing conversation with a Stranger whom they eventually recognize . . . but then he disappears. Rushing back with this very hot news, they find that their comrades have had an even closer encounter with the Risen Lord . . . and then he appears among them again in all his joy, happiness and glory! But not entirely. The joy that Christ promises us is later, "when the toil of the long day is o'er," For now, duty calls. We are to be "witnesses" to the Risen Jesus, believing in him totally, serving him personally to the best of our ability and - in our special case - promoting him (i.e. the Institute), prudently, politely but constantly. It's a difficult and challenging command but never let us think that we can remain in the Upper Room breathlessly chatting with the Master. That's not his style and it should not be ours either.

~April 2012 Concord