Understand Our Movement that Recognizes Something Great Has Happened for Us!
Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM
Understand Our Movement that Recognizes . . .
It is easy to forget, or even miss the point of what it is we do here on Easter Sunday morning.
On this day there must be a willingness to move. We must be moved by someone or something that is greater than ourselves. It is a movement that the Body of Church began over six weeks ago. On that day we came to Church and marked ourselves with ashes. All Christians mark themselves on that day. We began our movement away from darkness. We moved away from death and toward life. Away from sin and toward goodness.
On Ash Wednesday, our goal was not just to mark our forehead. It began a movement that had a goal. It had a destination. Our journey to Easter Sunday’s Mass began over six weeks ago.
. . . Something Great Has Happened for Us!
We hear in the Gospel, the women moved toward the tomb. They moved from the darkness of night into the light. Out of love they go to see Jesus. In that love, they arrive and discover that Jesus’ body is not in the tomb. Mary Magdalene discovered that death was not there anymore. That their loss wasn’t there anymore. Their pain was not there anymore. Mary had to move. She ran, scripture tells us. She did not understand what had happen. But she ran because others needed to know. She again did not understand it. But she knew whatever happened, it was marvelous.
Upon hearing the news, St. Peter and St. John ran to the tomb also. Easter is about movement. It is a movement, not to remember what happened two thousand years ago. It is a movement that recognizes a victory had been won. A victory by Jesus . . . for us!
Hear more about Easter and the Easter Octave. Understand our movement that recognizes something great has happened for us! Listen to this Meditation Media.
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The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Sepulchre on the Morning of the Resurrection: Swiss Painter: Eugène Burnand: 1898
This painting is also known by its shorten name, The Disciples. Now residing in Paris, it was not well received when it was first presented. But look at the painting again. It is truly remarkable! Look at the hands of the younger disciple in anticipation. He holds his hands together anxiously. Look at Peter’s expression. He looks both terrified and hopeful. The artist captures the emotion and the movement of the disciples. How truly wonderful and appropriate for this Meditation piece.
