Happy Easter brothers and sisters!
I don’t know about you but sometimes I find it easier observing Lent than I do celebrating the Easter season. By no means, am I saying that giving up food and drink etc. is more enjoyable than biting into a piece of Easter candy. Rather, for some reason submitting myself to the rigors of Lent comes more naturally than celebrating Easter. Why is this so? As I search for an answer, I think of the disciples on the road to Emmaus who didn’t recognize Jesus until the breaking of the bread, or Mary Magdalen who didn’t recognize Jesus until He spoke her name, and St. Thomas who did not believe until Christ showed him His wounds. It wasn’t until Christ revealed Himself to them did they experienced His glory. It was then their hearts burned within them, and their eyes were opened, and their faith allowed them to proclaim Jesus, as their Lord and God.
However, as you read the accounts of their encounter with Jesus, you realize that their expectations also had something to do with them not recognizing the risen Lord. Because of the His miracles and His preaching, they were expecting him to establish His kingdom on earth. His death only led them to discouragement, despair and loss of faith.
I need to ask myself, “am I so different than them?” Are my expectations of what Jesus wants to do for me confined to this world?
I need to ask myself, “am I so different than them?” Are my expectations of what Jesus wants to do for me confined to this world? Do I allow the difficult circumstances of this life to cause me to be discouraged, despair or lose faith and prevent me from perceiving the presence of the Lord? If I do, I need to remind myself that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me and that we were made to sit in Heavenly places with Him. Indeed, Jesus is Risen and by celebrating Easter I affirm that truth despite the circumstances of my life.
--Marty
