Easter Thursday

LK 24:35-48

The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you."But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.

Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

Reflect

Exactly a week ago we celebrated the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. Since then we have experienced the entire paschal mystery and Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. What a paradox it all is. In three days we remember the most sorrowful event in history and the events that followed, but because of this sorrow, we celebrate the most glorious event. The Christian life is full of these paradoxes. Jesus is an expert at turning the moments of our life filled with the most grief and suffering into moments of the greatest joy. 

As I began preparing to write these Easter Reflections, two years ago, I lived an incredible example of this paradox. Two things happened: I found out I was pregnant and I started to grow a devotion to Blessed Elena Guerra. I was first introduced to Elena a few years ago but hadn’t thought much about her since. I was praying the rosary one day and her name came to mind. I went home and Googled her, but my search returned few results. So I emailed the sisters from the Order she founded in Italy. They emailed me back right away and shared her story with me. She dedicated her whole life to make the third person of the Trinity more known and loved. 

A few weeks later I went to my doctor’s office to get the results from my first ultrasound.  I was looking at her framed degrees on the wall and noticed her middle name was ‘Elena.” I was struck by how beautiful the name was and thought what a beautiful name it would be if we had a little girl. As I was daydreaming about having a little girl, my doctor said to me, “The results are showing that there is no heartbeat”. I didn’t understand, what was she talking about, there must have been a mistake. I clarified, “So we are having a miscarriage?” “Yes,” she confirmed. 

My doctor happens to be a devout Catholic so, as I cried, she prayed with me.  I felt the Lord speaking deeply to my heart, “Elena is with me today in paradise.” In that moment of intense grief and loss, I got a taste of heaven. My child was already experiencing the joy of the resurrection face to face with our Lord. What sweet consolation I was given to hear those beautiful words.  I believe Blessed Elena and the Lord chose our little baby to be under her patronage. they are both now interceding for us and for you as we all continue on our own journeys to the Father. 

Jesus’ disciples and followers were the first witnesses of the paschal mystery that we continue to witness today.  Every death carries with it the hope of a resurrection and the great hope of our own final resurrection.

Take time today to think about where you have experienced the great paradox of the paschal mystery. Where have you experienced light in the darkness? 

Jesus thank you for the hope and joy you bring to even the darkest moments of our life. Help me today to see your light in the darkness. Amen