Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Jesus’ appearances to his disciples following his resurrection were very powerful and emotional moments. To have a loved one return from the dead would bring out in us reactions very similar to Mary Magdelene’s, the two travelers to Emmaus, and the disciples. But the long-term effect would be deeper and more meaningful. St. Paul, a contemporary of the disciples, realized early on that Christ’s resurrection was a watershed moment. In 1 Corinthians 15: 12-19, he plainly states that “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” Clearly there is a life after this one. The Messiah’s message of repentance and conversion guides our actions now and has eternal consequences. The choice is ours.
Peter and John learned that the consequences of choosing Christ can be challenging. They were not exactly embraced and welcomed by all the people. But they had witnessed the whole of Christ’s ministry and saw both the good and the difficult. They also saw the compassion and love that Jesus had for others, which helped him stay on course whether he was praised or persecuted. That is why daily prayers and living one’s faith are so necessary.
Reflection by Br. Jacob Kubajak, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections