Tuesday of Easter
Week
(Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18)
Deacon Luis is known as a happy fellow. His smile beams just about all the time. He is also kind and helpful. One cannot tell from anything in his demeanor
that he suffers considerable pain. Arthritis
pervades his bones and an injury that has been diagnosed as a cracked pelvis
continually reminds him of its presence.
He takes a prescribed painkiller, but there appears to be more than that
to give him such a gracious countenance.
Luis seems to have appropriated the joy of the resurrection which both
readings today intimate.
In the gospel Maria is at first sad not only because of
the traumatic ending to Jesus’ life but also because she believes that his body
has been stolen. When Jesus calls her by
name, her tears turn into ecstasy. She cannot
help but cling to her teacher and friend.
In the reading from Acts Peter advises the Jews not to worry about
having crucified God’s chosen one.
Rather, he tells them to be baptized to receive the Holy Spirit who not
only forgives sins but also instills the hope of eternal life.
So why do some of us Christians today go about with heavy
hearts and downcast faces? Pope Francis
has commented that many sport a “face of a funeral wake.” It is probably so because they have a hard
time accepting the fact that salvation is a gift and not something we
earn. Christ has done the work through
his death and resurrection. Now we
accompany him in joy.
