RISEN FROM THE DEAD

 

Can this be the same Jesus who, only a few days ago, was seen crucified and dead upon the cross? After seeing Jesus, Matthew tells us the women went away quickly, fearful yet overjoyed. They could not believe their eyes for what they saw, and their ears for what they heard. It was a remarkable sight. A dead man rose again! Matthew gives us a dramatic account of the resurrection. There is earthquake and lightning. A huge stone is rolled away from the tomb by an angel. The guards shake with fright.

This is the night of nights where, at the Easter vigil, we celebrate life and light. The Exsultet makes a wonderful reflection as the Church sings with joy the mighty work of God in raising Jesus from the dead. This night is holy and full of symbolism in its liturgy. Notice it was at dawn when the women went to the tomb. They wanted to be the first at the tomb to wash and anoint the body, knowing that they were running out of time before Sabbath came. When they reached the tomb, there was no body to anoint. An angel appeared in their midst and told them that the crucified Lord had risen. As they saw for themselves the empty tomb and the risen Christ, their lives were never the same.

Do not be afraid! This is the call of the angel and then of Jesus Himself. There is no need to fear. All fears have been dispelled through Christ’s rising from the tomb.

Why approach the tomb? The angel tells us He is not there. Some of us live as though He is still there, dead and buried. It is true, our sin is dead and buried, thanks be to God, but a new life awaits us. “Go and tell the brothers,” exclaims Jesus, as they did Him homage.

The chains of death have been broken. The triumphant resurrection of Christ has destroyed sin. It is time for us to wake up from sleep for a new day is at hand. Let us walk in the light of this night. Let our faces not be ashamed for He has risen as He has said and He is going before us. Let us run to Him and worship and adore the Risen Christ. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Have you risen with Christ or are you still in the tomb?

 

Lord, I believe that You are raised from the dead. Thank You for the new life You gave me through Your saving death and resurrection. Amen.

 

St. Felix, Fortunatus & Achilleus, pray for us.

GET UP AND WALK

 

Imagine being sick for 38 years. That is an incredibly long time to be suffering affliction and pain. The crippled that we hear about in the Gospel must have had an incredible patience in waiting to get into the “moving waters.” If I were him, I would have given up a long time ago. You’d wonder if you still want to get well after being sick for a long time. You could just get used to it — day in, day out, year in, year out.

The man is pitiful. Because he is crippled, he is slow to move when the mysterious waters are stirred. The moment the waters move, he starts to get near the pool, only to find someone else before him. Jesus meets him, tells the man to rise and the man is well again. The man experiences a resurrection. Life is given to him again. He is now happy and able to move in freedom from pain and illness.

However, that is not the end of the story. The Jews are horrified when they see the man carrying his mat. He is seen as a lawbreaker and a sinner in the eyes of God for profaning the Sabbath. He is interrogated for this action, which is an unlawful thing to do on Sabbath.

We can imagine how delighted the man was in receiving this incredible healing. I wonder if his spirit was dampened at hearing the disgust of the Jews. Isn’t it the same with us? We receive some good news, experience a healing or an answer to a prayer. But when it seems that just when we are at our best, something happens and robs us of our joy. However, sometimes we can be like the man — in the pain of sin, habit or affliction for many years. The problem is that we can be used to sin. We allow sin to make its home in us because it is too hard to do anything about it. “I will never change.” “It is always the same.” “It is too hard.” These mind games play within our thoughts.

We need to hear Jesus telling us to get up and walk. We need to imitate the obedience of the crippled man that heard the word of Jesus and put it into action. No questions, no doubts, no hesitation. He simply got up and walked.Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do you want to be well?

 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.

 

St. Albert of Montecorvino, pray for us.