Go Easter.

What if it IS True? Blog

Discovering, wrestling with, and trying like crazy to live Gospel virtue.

04/19/14

Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake; 
for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, 
approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.
His appearance was like lightning
and his clothing was white as snow.
The guards were shaken with fear of him
and became like dead men.
Then the angel said to the women in reply,
“Do not be afraid!
I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples,
‘He has been raised from the dead, 
and he is going before you to Galilee;
there you will see him.’
Behold, I have told you.”
Then they went away quickly from the tomb, 
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce this to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see me.”

This is the vigil. It's Easter eve. This Gospel reflection is reflecting on one of the shortest readings of the vigil's liturgy. Yet, as is invariably the case, the Gospel is where it all comes together. This is what we've been waiting for the entire time of lent. Christ is risen. But what happens if we leave it all there. We can celebrate. We can thank our lucky stars. We can finally eat those things we've given up for lent. But is that all?

The key that I see in this passage isn't about celebrating our good fortune at all. It's all about what Jesus says at the end of this passage, “Go and tell”. Easter is a beautiful opportunity to bask in the radiance of the risen Lord, no doubt. But if in our basking we forget to “GO” what good have we done? Christ commanded us to love him and love others. We show our love in our obedience, and we're only obedient when we act on what he's told us to do.

Yes, Easter is a celebration. But let's not leave it there. If we're enthused we need to show it. If we show it by building relationship with others, loving them as we're commanded and through an intentional but gradual process of introducing the life change we've experienced we will be showing our obedience. You don't have to go door to door. You don't have to preach on street corners, you don't have to hit people on the head with your bible. You simply need to go. Go and build relationships and by doing so let others see the resurrected Christ that dwells within you. Now that's an Easter celebration.

Good luck and God bless,

Leo Brown