Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Last night the Easter vigil Mass at 8 PM started in darkness as it does all over the world and is broken by the light of Christ in the Easter candle. It made me think that often we need to be in darkness to see Christ; he shines more brilliantly that way. After college I was very much lost without any kind of meaning in my life. It was all about making money and pursing pleasure which left me totally empty and sad. This somehow led me to go back to the Church, which changed the rest of my life.
On another note, I had four or five marriage proposals from beautiful women in their nineties in the past few months. I turned them all down since I am already married, to the Church. But it helped me to see how people at all ages and especially as we approach death desire a love that is indestructible, everlasting. A love that is stronger than death. It is not something that can come from us. It must be given by the One Who Is, and who always was, and the One who acts in our life today, Jesus Christ. He is perfected in his total stepping over to the Father through the Cross. It is his love that brings immortality to all.
The gospels in a way only stammer. They only tell us the facts in today’s gospel (Luke 24: 1-12). They women came; they saw and there were two men in white. Even in these scanty descriptions we see something totally unexpected. It is only the women who have courage to go to anoint Christ’s body. The last ones at the cross are the first ones at the tomb.
They are very preoccupied like we are when we face difficulties: who will move the stone, will we be able to anoint him. And what happens? The stone is moved and the body is gone! God acts this way many times when we are patient and wait for him. Suddenly the problem is solved and we did nothing.
The gospel reminds us to be patient; listen to the women close to you, especially your spouse. They are wiser and braver in many ways. They show much more courage and faith today than the apostles. Women have a feminine genius that men can’t hope to attain. It is not in our genes. Many times they see things more accurately than us.
Jesus Christ is alive. Often we think of him as if he were dead. He is present today in the church and where two or three are gathered in his name. When we grasp that he is truly alive, and not dead, we can pray more deeply and personally. Spend a few minutes with him each morning or before you retire. Speak to him about the events of your life, especially the sufferings. They will not go away but you will see the deeper meaning behind them.
Christ died and rose again, for us! He has overcome death, all kinds of death that we also experience today. Let us not get used to this fact.
Dear Friends, may God grant you and your family a blessed Easter!