Our gospel reading on Easter morning paints a beautiful picture for us as the events of the resurrection unfold in the lives of the disciples.  Each gospel narrative gives a slightly different account of the resurrection, choosing to focus on differing details, but the common thread is Jesus rose from the dead and walks among us, bringing hope and healing.

In the dark days after the crucifixion, the disciples were lost, they thought their hopes and dreams had ended with the death of Jesus.  They hid in fear, not seeing a path forward as they had not yet grasped the meaning, or even the possibility, of the resurrection.  From our own experience, we know the pain of loss and death.  Most of us have lost loved ones at some point in our lives and it hurts, especially in those first few hours and days. 

The joy of the resurrection restores our hope, just as it did for the disciples.
Just as St. John was able to see with eyes of love, finding hope, so too can we.  Eyes of love can “see” what the unaided human eye cannot.  When we look at life with eyes of faith, with eyes of love, we too see a world of possibilities, where love triumphs over evil, where hope never dies. 

While some may believe the end of the story has come, our faith tells us differently, our faith teaches us to never lose hope, to never underestimate God or the power of love.  As a people of the resurrection, we know better than to close the book before it is finished.

The gospel of Mark begins with the words, “The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, Son of God.”  The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus are only the beginning.  The Good News of the resurrection continues to unfold, and it continues to be written in our lives.  We are the people of the resurrection, and we have a mission to continue to live the story of the resurrection each day with the events that unfold in our lives, never losing hope, never trembling in fear, always believing that God is with us, no matter where we find ourselves.  Hope is never lost.

Happy Easter my friends!

May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forever more.

Fr. Harry