May the Risen Lord grant you the Paschal joy. It is on 10th April 2023. We reflect on Acts 2:14, 22-33 and Matthew 28:8-15.
Joseph Campbell said once, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”
Are we still afraid of something after the celebration of Easter?
There is nothing to fear when the Lord is near. Yes of course, if He is not in tomb, surely He is near.
As we are in the Octave of Easter that extends till next Sunday, our atmosphere is filled with Paschal joy. The aroma of Paschal joy exudes until the Pentecost in an intense way. The entrance Antiphon for Easter Day in Roman Missal reads: “Fear not, for I am risen and I shall always be with you.” A loving visit of Mary of Magdala and the other Mary brings us closer to the sepulchre.
The joy of meeting the Risen Lord was beyond words and description for the women. The first recipients of joy were asked to pass on the glimpse of the Risen Lord to the brothers. The encounter with the Risen Lord sparked the fire of enthusiasm to entrust with the brothers what they witnessed.
Fear goes away in encountering the Risen Lord. Facing fear chases the tears away and empowers us to be near others. Fear goes away completely in the proclamation.
The message is repeated to us today not to be afraid to become messengers in proclaiming His Resurrection. Let us not confine to sepulchre but set out to proclaim the Good News that Jesus is risen and alive.
God offers innumerable opportunities to proclaim the great news with conviction that strengthen the faith of the other.
“Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me” (Mt 28: 10).
Pope Benedict XVI taught us: “The Christian faith, as we know, is not born from the acceptance of a doctrine but from an encounter with a Person, with Christ, dead and Risen.
When we set out to meet the brothers and sisters in need, we will see the Risen Lord. May the Risen Lord bless you and keep you.