Easter was just a few days ago. We journeyed through 40 days of Lent, a gruesome story of betrayal and suffering, and an amazing story of resurrection. Now as Easter people we walk with the apostles as first Christians. Our readings tell of miracles performed by the apostles as they try to explain the implications of what just happened. Our gospel shares the story of Jesus returning to the apostles after His crucifixion and Resurrection and incredibly sharing a meal with them shortly after the meeting on the road to Emmaus.
The readings after Easter always give me pause. Many have witnessed these incredible things and see the various acts of the apostles resulting in healing. Yet, they can’t seem to get it. It always makes think that if they see all this and can’t believe what hope is there in getting people 2000 years later to understand. What does it take to convince them – they were able to personally hear the teachings of Christ. To be in the presence of this amazing “man” – they witnessed Him healing and performing miracles and still allowed His crucifixion. The first reading emphasizes that aspect
The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,
the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus
whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence,
when he had decided to release him.
It seems a difficult task, indeed, for the apostles to shepherd these people to an understanding of the Lord. It made me think about the times I’m unwilling to recognize that I am a beloved child of God. I attribute this to my difficulty in accepting that I am worthy of God’s love. Perhaps this is part of the resistance from the crowd – not being able to accept how much they are loved. They waited for a king to save them physically from enemies but have difficulty fathoming what true salvation is. How often do we look for a “savior” in all the wrong places? We forget that we saved for much greater things and that true success is not of earthly treasures. Jesus has freed us from the chains of this world and invites us to look beyond.
Matthew Kelly in Perfectly Yourself reminds us that to feel at home with you are and where you are and what you are doing is worth more than all the treasures and pleasures money can buy. He further asserts that The real challenge is not the quest for success but the quest to create inner peace by being faithful to who we truly are, created wonderfully and uniquely by God (p. 34).
Our greatest gift is that God loves us in ways that we cannot begin to understand and is conveyed in our first reading:
You are the children of the prophets
and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors
when he said to Abraham,
In your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
For you first, God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you
by turning each of you from your evil ways.”
Nancy Shirley
I returned to Creighton in December 2003 having previously taught at Creighton from 1980-1989 and involved in many campus activities including ILAC and CEC House. Since returning, assumed Faculty and Administrative roles on both Omaha and Phoenix campus prior to retirement August 2022. Served as the Nursing Director for ILAC from 2013 – 2021 and as a reservist in the Army Nurse Corps for 23 years.
I am a grateful child of God, wife, mother, nana, and retired nursing professor. My husband and I met at church and have walked this extraordinary journey together experiencing CEC in 2004 and growing more committed to our beliefs. In addition to my husband, I am blessed with a wonderful daughter and son, who in turn are blessed with wonderful partners. My son’s four children bring us all endless joy and delight. My daughter’s daughter (our youngest grandchild in Phoenix) has been a true gift beyond description. In early 2023, I became a Great-grandma!! I am now retired faculty at Creighton having taught nursing here from 1980-1989 and returned “home” in 2003 to teach nursing at all levels and to administer the undergraduate program on both campuses until 2022. My mantra has been My life is God’s gift to me; what I do with my life is my gift to God!!
Now in retirement, I appreciate more and more all the ways that I find God in my life especially through my family and garden and through music and song. I find listening to Christian music daily in the car keeps the right message in my head. It is, indeed, a blessing to be part of this ministry. Writing reflections is an opportunity to ponder the readings deeply in my heart and to share those musings and some music that further touches my soul. I am a recipient of God’s grace with each one I write.
