The word that stands out in the Gospel today is “Amazed!”
The women learn of Jesus’ Resurrection and they are amazed. They share the news with the Apostles, who doubt their story, but they are still amazed. Peter runs to the tomb only to find it as the women said, and he is amazed. But the amazing thing about this Resurrection Sunday’s Gospel reading is that Jesus himself does not appear to anyone. Did you notice?
The Easter Egg Hunt has everything to do with Easter
This my dear friends is why we have Easter egg hunts. For children it’s a fun, exciting, Amaaaazing activity. And so it should be for adults.
As Jesus reveals his Resurrection to the Apostle through angels and the amazement of others, so do little children reveal the excitement of Easter through their enthusiasm and joy. They find brightly colored eggs in the grass, a symbol of the rising sun, in turn a symbol of the Risen Son.
The Easter Egg is a Christian symbol, a sign of “New Creation” and “New Life,” of He who makes all things new
Do we see Christ in the face of our sisters and brothers on Easter Sunday? We should. We should also reflect that joy through our own bright smiles. This is how we spread the Good News of the Resurrection.
On Good Friday, this idea came to me as I witnessed teen missionaries carrying a large cross and asking for prayer intentions in the streets of New York. Please take 2 minutes to watch the video I made from the event and you will see what I mean.
Surrounded by a world of commercialism and materialism, they carried the cross of Christ, a sign of their faith and courage. Simultaneously, they bore witness to the joy of their faith through their kind, happy faces and bright smiles.
Many people they encountered responded with similar joy, some asked for prayers, while others flatly rejected them. The missionaries’ conviction was constant for the whole 3 hours while they evangelized the streets of New York carrying the cross. I saw it and was amazed!
The message of today’s Gospel for me today is a hidden one. Like an Easter egg, you have to look for it, while it’s right there, right in front of your eyes, shining brightly like the sun:
“You are the light of the world! You are the salt of the earth.”
Your family, friends, and neighbors will know that Christ is Risen because of you. Let your smile, your joy, your enthusiasm be the sign that Christ lives in you, and let them be amazed!
Alethos Anesti! Alleluia!
Biltrix 
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Indeed he is risen, alleluia!
Thanks for putting this up – the contrast of a simple wood cross with all the trappings of NYC sure is striking, as iare the smiles with the day-to-day hustble´n´bustle expressions we often encounter on such streets. Thanks to the missionaries who gave witness, and greetings to Br. Harkins and Br. Lemos!
Thanks Br Daniel and Happy Easter to you.
Just out of curiosity, as “Daniel” tends to be a popular name among brothers, could you let me know which of the Daniels I have the honor of blogging with by sharing your sir name with us? I’m almost embarrased to ask, since I probably already ought to know.
God bless you, Br Daniel, and Have a great Easter season over there in Rome (I assume that’s where you are right now). God bless!
Fair enough – there are about 20 Br. Daniels here in Rome right now! I’m Br. Harting(was in Cheshire last year).
I also have to add, seeing the comment below, a reflection from the talk we had on the last seven words this year. Christ does take our place on the cross, and that is something we could never do – we could never live down our own sins, much less all the sins of humanity. God has paid a price we could never pay. The cross he died on was ours, not his, because God did not deserve punishment. In that sense, we do not have to undergo what he underwent… But of course, suffering is not taken away – it’s our chance to participate.
God bless, and Happy Easter!
Great testimony out in the community. The young disciples seem to be full of joy and willing to be there for each other. All good!!
May I make a comment about the musical rap that goes along with the video? Love is brave, yes indeed, and the story of the soldier who fell on a grenade to save the lives of his buddies is certainly inspirational; but I think it’s important to note that his valor presents us with an imperfect analogy to the sacrifice of Christ.
Christ took on all the sins of humankind because he wanted to be in solidarity with each of us; but there’s more to it than that. He wants us all to be in solidarity with EACH OTHER.
One soldier fell on the grenade to spare the other soldiers from having to do the same. It’s a little bit different than the story of redemption. Jesus carried his cross up Mt. Calvary; but each of us must do the same. Externally, Christ was bound by nails to a cross of wood. When we gaze at Christ crucified with eyes of faith we see that Jesus was bound by love to each of us, and to the truth of the gospel.
It’s not as if any of us can avoid the Mount of Calvary. We must bind ourselves TO EACH OTHER with that same love Jesus gave to us from the Father.
The Baptism of Christ is our baptism too. There’s only one baptism. Jesus didn’t ‘get us out’ of the cross — he CUT US IN to the deal.
Peace,
Paul
I completely agree with you, Captain Catholic. Of course, when Jesus Christ is the standard, there will be no perfect analogy to compare with his love and sacrifice, which is eternal and perfect.
I chose the song more because it was up beat, although I probably could have found one with more appropriat lyrics for the subject matter.
I suppose the song writer’s point is that true love entails selfless giving and sacrifice, and in a way that somehow remotely resembles the love Christ showed us by “giving his life for his friends.” The way we imperfect creatures participate in the mysteries of Christ’s passion are always pleasing to the Father, who allows us to somehow “make up for what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ,” so as to also participate in his glory, which is something that by our own power, we could never be able to do.
Great observation! Thanks for the comment and have a blessed Easter Season!
Tremendous. Examples like that make you want to cry, or laugh, or just pray a simple “thank you”….
Or all three.
You’re welcome, on behalf of the kids who toughed it out last weekend. It was a rewarding experience for everyone.