EASTER SUNDAY

Let us rejoice … right?

We who have lived through many Easter Sundays may be tempted to think that we already know what today is about when we celebrate Christ's resurrection. But we should remember how Christ’s followers responded that first time. 

Today’s gospel of John starts on the first day of the week, marking the beginning of a new beginning: the resurrection of Christ. This sets the foundation for why we should be full of hope: before there was only death, and now there is life conquering death. We see Mary of Magdala, still seeing life through the lens of death, going to the tomb when it is still dark. But because Christ has conquered death, she becomes the first witness to his resurrection! Then we see Simon Peter and the beloved disciple; they also attest to their journeys to Christ, each at a different pace. The beloved disciple, perhaps being closer to Christ than the other disciples, not only in his moments of ministry but also at Christ’s crucifixion, has a faster pace and arrives at the tomb first. Perhaps he is more attuned to Christ’s revealed truth? This does not make Peter’s faith any less, as they both get to the same place. (And there is even respect given from the beloved disciple to let Peter go in first.) They are both together on a journey to salvation, to Christ. So, paradoxically, we both walk together at our own pace on our journeys. 

During Lent, we walked with Christ, asking him to help us change habits and ways of thinking that separate us from him, and to give us the strength to endure trials in life. Now he shows us that these challenges will not enslave us. Some of us might have had an exceptional Lent, keeping up with our goals and coming in strong through Holy Week. Others of us may have struggled a whole lot (I know I did) keeping up with all our goals. We are all on a path toward holiness; some might be faster than others, but none of us will complete the race until we meet our end and are with Christ in heaven. Until then, we must keep pushing on, full of hope in Christ for that transformation. 

During Easter, we should spread the joy in our hearts of Christ’s resurrection to all people that we encounter. This moment is too joy-filled to be kept silent, and there are many ways that Christ can resurrect in our lives. The Lord has risen, let us rejoice … right? Of course, we must rejoice; Jesus has conquered death and sin! His resurrection completes why he is our hope for salvation and the transformation of our lives. 

Happy Easter, and may the joy of Christ’s resurrection remain in your hearts!

–Br. John Terron, MSpS

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.