Daily Gospel Reflection for April 21, 2019

Today's Gospel: John 20:1-9 - Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord “We proclaim the resurrection of Christ when his light illuminates the dark moments of our existence, and we are able share it with others" (Pope Francis). As I read the Easter Sunday Gospel, it amazes me that Mary Magdalen and the others who went to the tomb seemed to completely forget the that Jesus constantly told them he would be put to death and rise from the dead in three days. It takes two dazzling beings to terrify so much that they bow their faces to the ground. They remind them of Christ’s promise and “then they remembered his words.” They run excitedly to tell the apostles about their experience and guess what? The apostles thought their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe the women. These men walked with the Son of God, heard the voice of God every day for three years and saw verifiable miracles but did not believe. No wonder we find it difficult today to really understand and embrace the reality and ramifications of the resurrection. Yet a belief in the resurrection is at the crux of our faith, our life in the Holy Spirit. This belief cannot be merely an intellectual assent to the idea of the resurrection, it must transform our lives. Pope Benedict XVI described the resurrection as an explosion of light, a cosmic event linking heaven and earth. It was an explosion of love, ushering in a new dimension of being. Starting from Christ, the resurrection continuously permeates this world of ours, transforms it. The resurrection unites us with God and others. As we give God permission to explode His light and love within us, day after day, the resurrection will transform us just like it transformed the apostles from disbelieving and fearful people to powerful witnesses to the truth.

Ponder:

Mary Magdalen and the others who went to the tomb forgot that Jesus had promised He would rise from the dead. How do we forget Christ's promise to rise in our souls?

Pray:

Jesus, grant us the gift of hope and faith, giving us the confidence that You will triumph over evil despite appearances and that Your resurrection will continue to transform us into Your presence on earth.