OUR EASTER TASK

This Sunday’s gospel passage makes sure that we see the full meaning of Easter for our lives.

The passage begins with a rather humorous understatement: “the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” But the important point, it seems to me, is this: how often do you or I ourselves “see the Lord?” Do you see him easily in the folks around you? In people who need your help? And in people who you find difficult to deal with? It seems to me that this Sunday we are being invited to “rejoice” when we see the Lord in everyone around us.

As if to emphasize this point, Jesus then says “as the father has sent me, so I send you." What else could he be sending us to do if not to continue his mission on earth? Since his resurrection, Christ's mode of presence in the world is now different: he is present in spirit. Therefore, he needs our voices, our hands, our feet, and our actions to spread the Good News of the Kingdom. 

Here's a good Easter question: How do you see your task as an apostle? What is it that Jesus may be expecting you to do as a follower of his?

Then, as if to emphasize that the risen Jesus is serious about sending us out into the world, John tells us that he then “breathes on them, and says 'receive the Holy Spirit'.” This assures the apostles - and us - that we are now equipped for the task of apostles.

Easter, then, is not just about Jesus, it is very much about you and me, and our lives as Christians.

May the grace of this holy season, help us to recognize the risen Lord in our midst, and to build up the Kingdom on earth as his apostles.