The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with both our joy and hesitancy in our proclamation of the Easter truth that “He is Risen”.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter addresses the Crowd.
* [2:1–41] Luke’s pentecostal narrative consists of an introduction (Acts 2:1–13), a speech ascribed to Peter declaring the resurrection of Jesus and its messianic significance (Acts 2:14–36), and a favorable response from the audience (Acts 2:37–41). It is likely that the narrative telescopes events that took place over a period of time and on a less dramatic scale. The Twelve were not originally in a position to proclaim publicly the messianic office of Jesus without incurring immediate reprisal from those religious authorities in Jerusalem who had brought about Jesus’ death precisely to stem the rising tide in his favor. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 16 is a song of Trust and Security in God
* [Psalm 16] In the first section, the psalmist rejects the futile worship of false gods (Ps 16:2–5), preferring Israel’s God (Ps 16:1), the giver of the land (Ps 16:6). The second section reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God (Ps 16:7–11). (Psalms, PSALM 16 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, is the Report of the Guard concerning Jesus Resurrection.
* [28:8] Contrast Mk 16:8 where the women in their fear “said nothing to anyone.”
* [28:9–10] Although these verses are peculiar to Matthew, there are similarities between them and John’s account of the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:17). In both there is a touching of Jesus’ body, and a command of Jesus to bear a message to his disciples, designated as his brothers. Matthew may have drawn upon a tradition that appears in a different form in John. Jesus’ words to the women are mainly a repetition of those of the angel (Mt 28:5a, 7b).
* [28:11–15] This account indicates that the dispute between Christians and Jews about the empty tomb was not whether the tomb was empty but why. (Matthew, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB, n.d.)
Ann Mausbach proposes a new word: Frope - feeling equal measure of fear and hope.
In today’s Gospel the realization of what Jesus has done for us is just now sinking in to Mary Magdalene, Mary and his other disciples. The women leave his tomb “fearful yet overjoyed.” These people watched Jesus on his long journey toward the cross and witnessed the difficulties of his path. The day after his death the enormity of his sacrifice is becoming clear to them. They are fearful for what lies ahead, but hopeful because he has risen.
Even though hope and fear may be in our hearts, I think today’s readings are asking us to focus on the hope of the Resurrection. In the first reading we are reminded that God’s love and the Holy Spirit’s promise are stronger than the throes of death. The responsorial psalm asks us to keep our hope in God for he does not abandon us and will keep us safe. Today, the day after Easter, we are being called to see God in the world. (Mausbach, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “The Easter Alleluia,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Our thoughts in this present life should turn on the praise of God, because it is in praising God that we shall rejoice for ever in the life to come; and no one can be ready for the next life unless he trains himself for it now. So we praise God during our earthly life, and at the same time we make our petitions to him. Our praise is expressed with joy, our petitions with yearning. We have been promised something we do not yet possess, and because the promise was made by one who keeps his word, we trust him and are glad; but insofar as possession is delayed, we can only long and yearn for it. It is good for us to persevere in longing until we receive what was promised, and yearning is over; then praise alone will remain." (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148, 1-2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 28:8-15 comments on Mercy. Revelation. Love. These stories of encounter with the Lord always win out because they’re true! They win out because the same encounters are available to each and every person!
Christ is risen. This is the true and life-changing story you have been baptized into. This is your spiritual inheritance. So why not devote this Easter Season to seeking out the risen Lord? Tell Jesus you want to encounter him more deeply in the coming weeks.
Jesus really is risen. And he wants to reveal himself to you.
“Lord Jesus, open my heart so that I can encounter you today!” (Meditation on Matthew 28:8-15, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the first teaching, or kerygma, of Peter speaking on Pentecost about Jesus' resurrection fulfilling the promises to David. The encounter of Jesus with two women as witnesses to His Resurrection is unexpected in the very Jewish Gospel of Matthew. Friar Jude reminds us in the light of the apologia of Matthew, that we focus on apologia as witness and not a weapon.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, identifies death and resurrection as the universal pattern of Reality.
Death and life are two sides of the same coin; we cannot have one without the other. Each time we choose to surrender, each time we trust the dying, our faith is led to a deeper level, and we discover a Larger Self underneath. We decide not to push to the front of the line, and something much better happens in the back of the line. We let go of narcissistic anger, and we find that we start feeling much happier. We surrender our need to control our partner, and finally the relationship blossoms. Yet each time it is a choice—and each time it is a kind of dying. It seems we only know what life is when we know what death is. (Rohr, 2017)
We ponder the meaning of Jesus' Resurrection in our lives as we encounter both participation and disinterest in the implications of this Truth.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/2?14
Matthew, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/28?
Mausbach, A. (2024, April 1). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040124.html
Meditation on Matthew 28:8-15. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/01/928141/
Psalms, PSALM 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/16?1
Rohr, R. (2017, November 9). A Universal Pattern. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-universal-pattern-2024/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). News of the Resurrection. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr1
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