Dwell in Hope April 17

Prayer

Jesus, help us in our understanding. In mortal terms, we can not fathom your unrequited love that poured out to us without ceasing. We can not explain how you accepted the will of the Father and in love allowed you to accept death by crucifixion. We can not find the right words to explain that the tomb is empty after witnessing your death for our sins.

Jesus, you know our thoughts and feelings before we express them to you. Grant to us the peace of the Resurrection that we might have a close moment with you along the way today. Give us the fortitude to fulfill your commandments with our actions in the world. Amen.

Study

“Dwell in hope” http://www.usccb.org/nab/041706.shtml

The enormity of the act that Jesus completed is hard to comprehend. In fact, Jesus’ Resurrection is so filled with love and so central to our faith that what happens on that First Day of the week will take us an entire liturgical season of Mass celebrations to contemplate it and every day of our life to celebrate it.

Today, we witness in the Good News the first direct encounter with Christ when Mary Magadalene and the other Mary were “fearful yet overjoyed” upon seeing the tomb empty. When they encounter Jesus, he knows exactly how they feel. They don’t have to tell him. As they study his risen body, the “Marys” pay him homage (piety). He gives them words of comfort and consolation to help them cope with what they are experiencing. And then he sends them forth on a mission of action to evangelize the disciples about what they have seen.

Yesterday, before this close moment with Christ, Mary’s only explanation was to tell the disciples that the guards stole the body of Jesus. Today, we see the chief priests accusing the Jews of that very act. Human explanations of the Resurrection are inadequate. With faith, all things are possible to allow us to dwell in hope.

Ironically, Jesus said on the cross that “It is finished.” Through these encounters with the risen Lord that begin today, we come to realize that our Fourth Day mission of piety, study and action is just beginning.

Action

Now that Lent is over, what’s next? Today, Jesus commanded Mary to spread the news of his resurrection. We see Peter in the first reading fulfilling the command to “preach to the people.” Where can you spread that Good News? Within your family? Beyond? What is your plan to “dwell in hope” by pursuit of piety, study and action in the next seven days?