Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord
Scripture:
Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
John 20:1-9 or Matthew 28:1-10
Reflection:
Recently I visited the Gettysburg battlefield where General Reynolds was shot and killed. He was the highest ranking Union general to be killed in the Civil War. He was one of the Union’s most outstanding generals and only 43 years old. His aids quickly removed his body so his men of the Iron Brigade would not see his dead body and get discouraged.
During this Holy Week we have been doing the opposite. We have been staring at the suffering and dead body of Christ so that we will not get discouraged! We gaze at the crucified Christ trying to comprehend the awesome love that God has for us.
Now we await the "living One." (Luke 24:2) We do infinitely more than looking at a statue of General Reynolds venerating his service and dedication to his country 148 years ago. We experience now not just a past act of love, but a living Christ presenting this love to us made eternal by his Resurrection. In faith we encounter this non-dying, ever living, last full measure of devotion right now as much as the early witnesses of the death and resurrection of Christ.
This wonderful truth of our faith that "God lives in an eternal now" brings all the love expressed in the incarnation of Christ two thousand years ago ever present. For God the Father the shout of Jesus on the cross and at his resurrection is still echoing in his ears! It must also echo in ours today! The past of Jesus is not dead, it is not even past! In this blessed season we are invited as much as Thomas was: "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." (John 20:26)
Alleluia! Happy Easter!
Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Detroit, Michigan.