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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