Tuesday of the Octave of Easter
(Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18)
Invoking the Christmas song “White Christmas” now may be the
jarring necessary to appreciate Jesus’ resurrection. “White Christmas” became a hit during World
War II when G.I.’s longed to be back home with their loved ones. A white Christmas also represented Christian social values of faith, family, and community. Going
home for Christmas resembled what Jesus refers to in today’s gospel as
ascending to “’my Father and your Father … my God and your God.’”
In Sunday morning’s second reading, the Letter to the
Colossians exhorts Christians to “seek what is above, where Christ is seated …”
and not what is on earth. “What is above”
is, of course, “’My Father and your Father.’” It might be also expressed as the virtues
which God engenders. The heavenly
virtues can also explain why Jesus tells Mary, “’stop holding on to me,.” Mary and all Christians are no longer to seek
earthly goals but heavenly ones. Rather
than pleasure, power, and prestige, they are to strive for peace, joy, and evangelical
love.
The campus of our striving is where we live, work, and meet
one another. We endeavor not just to get
to heaven but to make a heaven of these habitats.
Such effort in the end will bring us to the place that has prepared for
us.