April 14, 2020 - Surrender to Joy

In this Easter time and especially during this Easter Octave, we are invited to meditate on the one truth that dispels all this sadness, sickness and death that leads to weeping. Let us open our heart and make time to reflect, pray, wait and listen for Jesus to call us by name. The Gospel for today speaks about the weeping of Mary Magdalene. She is sorrowful and distressed because Jesus has died. She does not yet understand the power and truth of the Resurrection. 

We too are sorrowful and distressed at the destruction and isolation that we face in the midst of this ongoing pandemic. What else would we do but weep? If we continue to only listen to the media and reports of how many people are catching this virus and the numbers fo people that continue to die each day, then yes we will weep and weep and weep. However, Jesus is alive and inviting us to focus our attention on the Resurrecton!

Death will come for all of us in some way or in some time. This has been our reality, is our reality and will be our reality. The coronavirus pandemic has not changed our reality - it has only made it more obvious and placed it more directly before our eyes. The distractions of our daily lives have been stripped away. The events that once occupied our time and kept us from reflecting on the reality of human life are gone. Death is real and inevitable for all of us. Without Easter this would really be devastating and great reason to weep. So thanks be to God we have the Resurrection - Life will endure no matter what!

Thus rather than wish this time away and just wait anxiously for the lock-down to be lifted. Let's reorganize our daily routine and make more time to reflect on the beautiful truth of resurrected life. Jesus rose from the dead not just to show that He is all powerful and the Son of God and our Savior. He did it to save us and show us that we too now will not die forever, but will live forever with Him. Belief in Jesus Christ leads to life even after death...to a glorified life, without suffering, sickness, nor anymore coronavirus pandemic, lockdown or isolaton. 

So weep but not without hope. We weep saddened that we are suffering, but the Resurrection reminds us that this is only for a time. This will end. Jesus has risen and so will we if we believe in Him, follow Him and seek to live with Him. Jesus is calling our name and inviting us to come to Him now. Let us make time for prayer and reflection and experience the power of His presence in our lives calling us and reminding us..."you will live with me forever."