It’s not easy to believe in the Resurrection. The disciples had to experience the dark night of the soul after Good Friday. Together with the trauma of the Lord’s violent death, they suffered because of the silence of so many unknown elements.
We can understand their anguish if we compare it to what we feel when we are waiting for a friend who doesn’t show up. Your friend is supposed to go on a trip with you, but he doesn’t show up when it’s time to leave. What could have happened? Your soul gets worried, and all sorts of images pass before your eyes. That’s what the disciples were feeling.
The resurrected Jesus appears to Peter, to Mary Magdalene, and to Thomas, precisely to these three because they were doubting. They were more dead inside than alive. And he appears to the disciples of Emmaus because they had already lost hope. To all of them he brings new reasons to live.
The Lord’s Resurrection changed the world. Death was defeated when he accepted death; pain and suffering were conquered when he freely chose to suffer; sin was destroyed when he bore it on his shoulders. This is true, even though death, suffering and sin still continue to this day. But they are no longer able to defeat us because of Christ our Lord. That’s why we have to be people of hope. We have to persevere in hope that has been tested in love and in death.
Every Sunday is a little Easter that becomes a reality in the holy Eucharist. St. Paul invites us to “look for the things above, and not those of the world.” This is the Bread come down from heaven containing all sweetness and mercy.
Make a practical resolution this Easter weekend: spend time reading the Gospel narrative of everything that took place after the Resurrection. It will fill you with joy and peace. And how much do we need these after hearing all the bad news in the media about catastrophes, death and abuse. Let’s fill our souls with the good news that Jesus has conquered sin, death and the grave, and promises us a life of unending joy with him and all the angels and saints in heaven.