How would it feel?

 

As we conclude the Octave of Easter on Sunday (although the season of Easter continues until Pentecost, May 11th) I have a meditation that I hope you will spend some time on.

Imagine you have seen Jesus die on the cross on Good Friday, and nothing else happens. There is no resurrection. Jesus is not present to his apostles afterward. Imagine that his death and entombment are the end of the story.

How would it feel to live in that space?

What would be lost if that were the reality? 

You see, if we do not know what would have been lost if Jesus died but did not rise, then we certainly do not know what was gained by his life and resurrection. 

If we do not know what was gained by his life and resurrection, then we simply cannot know what it means to be a Christian.

One of my favorite prayers comes from St. Padre Pio. It's called "Stay with Me Lord." 

In it he prays:

"Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor." 

Do you have as much fervor, or zeal for the resurrection of Jesus that you have from, say, a new adventure? From having a baby? From finally getting your dream job or winning the lottery?

What does it say about our belief in Jesus if our excitement over his life, death and resurrection pales in comparison to other things we experience in this life?

If his resurrection, somehow, seems disconnected, from our life experiences?

It's hard, isn't it, to keep Jesus in the forefront of our life, even when we know that all that we are flows from him? 

Pentecost is around the corner, and without great fervor, we will never understand the movement of the Holy Spirit in the Apostles, when they were sent out to spread the Good News. 

How will we willingly take up our role as a disciple if we do not keep such fervor alive in our own hearts?

Perhaps you will find it helpful to pray with St. Padre Pio, once again, when he pleads:

"Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You."

Happy Easter!

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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