Monday, April 18, 2022

 

Monday within the Octave of Easter

(Acts 2:24.22-23; Matthew 28:8-15)

For Vladimir Putin the war in Ukraine is not a war or an invasion; it is a “military operation.”  Most Russians believe him.  There is resistance to the party line, but the people are largely supporting their troops.  In today’s gospel the chief priests and elders try to foist such propaganda regarding the resurrection of Jesus.

Matthew recounts how the Jewish leaders bribe the Roman guard of Jesus’ tomb.  They tell the soldiers to say that Jesus’ disciples stole his body while they were sleeping.  Thinking about this version of the story, one should see its implausibility.  If the soldiers were sleeping, how could they know what happened.  Also with such a story, they would be opening themselves to ridicule if not punishment for neglect of duty. 

What is more lamentable here than covering up the truth is the truth that is being covered up.  Jesus’ resurrection opens to us a new way of living.  We no longer have to count as success accumulating wealth or achieving fame.  Success is now staying close to the Lord who has promised eternal life to his friends.  Like it did for him, our self-sacrifice for others will bring us the happiness that we seek.

 

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