Good morning good people!
May the Risen Lord give you peace and blessings on this Easter Monday. It is 21st April 2025. We reflect on Acts 2:14, 22–33 and Matthew 28:8–15.
Are we witnesses of the Truth or spectators of lies?
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) boldly professes: “Do not accept anything as truth if it lacks love. And do not accept anything as love which lacks truth.”
When God is absent from our lives, we begin to believe lies and even endorse liars. This is precisely what unfolded around the Resurrection of Christ—a clash between truth and treachery.
Yet no wall of deceit, no stone of silence, can cover up the truth of the empty tomb. The bodily resurrection of Jesus is not just an event of the past; it is the cornerstone of our faith, the heartbeat of our hope.
When we allow fear to govern us, we cannot freely profess the truth. But when the Risen Lord reigns in our hearts, we are filled with the Spirit of truth and love and become bearers of light in a shadowed world.
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:32-33)
The experience of Peter at Pentecost shows us this: the fire of the Holy Spirit comes not from theory or tradition alone—but from a living encounter with the Risen Lord.
This encounter is not far from us—it is found in the Sacraments, in moments of forgiveness, in daily acts of love, in the breaking of bread, and the bonds of communion.
Years ago, during the era of Nazi persecution, a young Austrian woman named Franziska Jägerstätter lost her husband, Franz, who was executed for refusing to swear allegiance to Hitler. When asked why she stood by his seemingly “pointless” martyrdom, she simply said: “He could not live a lie. He believed the truth of Christ more than the threat of death.” Even as others in her village accused him of foolishness, she stood firm, carrying her husband’s legacy and love. Today, he is Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, a true witness of the Resurrection, who chose truth over fear—even unto death.
“Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10)
The women at the tomb were the first evangelizers—filled with awe and joy, not silenced by fear. They ran to proclaim the truth that death is defeated, and Christ is alive.
In contrast, others were bribed to spread a lie: “So they took the money and did as they were directed.” (Matthew 28:15)
Even today, these two paths stand before us: Will we be witnesses of the Resurrection, or will we silence the truth with convenience?
We are reminded in the Jubilee Message of Pope Francis: “In a world that often covers truth in noise and confusion, the Resurrection of Jesus is the clearest word God has spoken—Love has conquered.”
The Psalm today sings: “Keep me safe, O God; you are my refuge.” (Psalm 16:1)
Christ, our refuge, goes ahead of us—leading us not only to Galilee, but into every corner of our lives that longs for peace and purpose.
So let us not compromise the truth. Let us not be silent bystanders. Let us stride boldly with the Risen Lord, carrying light, not lies—and proclaim His love with freedom, courage, and joy.
May the Risen Christ bless you with peace that outlives fear and truth that outshines lies. Christ is Risen! Alleluia!