See and Hear

April 13, 2009

Monday within the Octave of Easter

You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:22-24

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me." Matthew 28:8-10

Piety

Lord, reveal to me the paths of life; Fill me with joy in your presence.

Study

Fearful yet overjoyed, Mary can not hold in the good news that the tomb is empty.

Now that Jesus has conquered death, “because it was impossible for him to be held by it,” we repeatedly hear of his appearances to his friends. If they did not understand resurrection before crucifixion, Jesus now has the opportunity to get his point across by appearing to them after death. He does so repeatedly like a friend who can not stay away from those he loves.

Action

How will you react to the empty tomb?

What are your fears today? Possible unemployment? The depletion of your retirement savings? The college savings wiped out in the market crash? Illness or death of one you love?

Place these and all your concerns in the empty tomb. Do not be anxious or afraid.