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Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Many of us sang or recited those words just a couple of days ago. We might still feel, though, a bit like the confused and weeping Mary Magdalene. We might feel as though Easter hasn’t sunk in yet. Familiar stories and songs may not have moved us this year. Or, perhaps, we were not able to share Easter traditions with others for some reason this year. Grief, guilt, or busyness may prevent us from appreciating how the resurrection of Jesus relates to our lives right now. Perhaps we can learn from Mary Magdalene’s story. We can be faithful and persistent in seeking and asking. We can know that God places signs and messengers around us that we may not recognize. We might pray for the grace to see and understand. We can imagine Jesus standing in front of us calling our name tenderly—until we can see and respond. The verses from Acts remind us that the resurrection also brings a promise of the gifts of the Spirit. Can we recognize the promise that Peter so eloquently makes as our own? We are “those far off whom the Lord has called.” The promise is for us! We might ask for the grace this Easter season to see (or see anew) our spiritual gifts. We might then be able to appreciate a new link between the gospel Easter story and our work today. How awesome to think that the risen Jesus calls us by name. How amazing to know that we each have supernatural abilities that enable us to serve the body of Christ right here, right now. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. |