Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may
be wiped away, and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment and send
you the Christ already appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until
the times of universal restoration of which God spoke through the mouth of his
holy prophets from of old. Acts 3:19-21
While they were still speaking about this, he stood in
their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and
thought that they were seeing a ghost.
Luke 24:36-37
Piety
Father, help us to see Jesus
in our midst. May the warmth of that
encounter with the Lord change us from following our path to walking with
Jesus. Holy Spirit, guide us no matter
how startled and terrified we are of the journey.
Study
What is the meaning of the
Easter story? Just this: Jesus is not out there. He is not some “ghost.” He spirit is alive and in our midst bringing
us Peace even when we are startled and terrified. The story Luke recounts is not some
figurative allegory. Jesus came back to
stand, sit, eat, talk, touch, and be touched by the disciples.
Again, that same word
appears today that marked the preaching of John the Baptist in the desert and the
public ministry of Jesus. Repent. Change.
We did not act on his words alone.
So, to further help us to change, “God raised up his servant and sent
him to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.” (Acts 3:26)
Action
Easter is aligned with spring
and all the signs of new life after the winter of the Polar Vortex. Flowers, grass, trees are showing their
spring colors in the light and warmth of the season. These signs of life are now in our midst
after the death and darkness and cold of winter. Literal change is all around
us. Easter means change also has to be
within us.
How is the meaning of the Easter
story changing you? As Pope Francis said
in a recent homily, “Jesus isn't 'up there,' faraway, pope says. He's here by
our side. Don't be afraid to reach out to him.”
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