HOMILY FOR MONDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER
THEME: THE LORD HAS RISEN! ALLELUIA!…. “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples”
BY: Fr. Joan COSTA i Bou
(Barcelona, Spain)
HOMILY FOR MONDAY APRIL 18 2022
Today, the joy of resurrection has made brave messengers out of those women that went to Christ’s tomb. The angel’s announcement of the Master’s resurrection filled their hearts with “great joy.” And, immediately after, they “ran out”, to tell the news to the Apostles. They simply could not stand idle, their hearts bursting should they not let the disciples know about the great news. Paul’s words resound in our souls: “For the love of Christ impels us” (2Cor 5:14).
Jesus contrives to a “chance meeting” with Mary of Magdala and the other Mary —this is how Christ rewards their courage to look for him early in the morning—, and He does it too with all men and women of this world. Not only, because of his Incarnation, He has, in a certain way, become a man too.
Women’s reactions before the Lord express the deepest attitudes of human beings before He who is our Creator and Redeemer: submission —“embraced his feet” (Mt 28:9)— and worship. What a lesson for all of us regarding what our attitude ought to be always before Christ in the Eucharist!
“Do not be afraid” (Mt 28:10), Jesus tells the pious women. Afraid of our Lord? Never, as He is the Love of loves! Afraid to lose him? Yes, because we are well aware of our feebleness. This is why we embrace his feet so strongly. As the Apostles in the stormy sea and as the disciples of Emmaus when they beg him: Lord, do not leave us!
And the Master sends the women to his disciples so they can see him too. This is also our task, and our divine mission, since the day of our baptism: to proclaim Christ all over the World “so that everybody may find Christ, so that Christ may join each one of us in our journey through life, with the power of the truth (…) contained in the mystery of Incarnation and Redemption, with the power of the love He irradiates” (Saint John Paul II).
Fr. Joan COSTA i Bou
(Barcelona, Spain)
