Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of Easter Octave, April 18th, 2022
Texts: Acts 2: 14.22-33; Psalm 16: 1-2a.5.7-11; Matthew 28:8-15
Easter is a season of joy and celebration. We are happy because the Lord has risen. We celebrate because our Lord has won for us eternal life. With the death of Christ hope is dashed but with resurrection hope is rekindled. Resurrection transforms disappointment to appointment. Resurrection has brought us back to life again, for a saying goes thus, “Where there is hope there is life”. Resurrection is a testimony that Jesus Christ is God; He died as a man but Resurrected as God. Being God He has power over death. Hence, in today’s first reading, St. Peter says, “But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” It is impossible for death to hold God prey.
Resurrection is the final wonder wrought by God to attest to the Godhead of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a wonder that break the yoke of unbelief. Before resurrection God had done many mighty works, wonders and signs through Jesus Christ to convince the people that He is God. In the words of St. Peter: “Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know” Some saw the works, wonders and signs and believed in Him. However, some people accused Him of using the power of Beelzebub. They fuelled up conspiracy and sentenced Him to death. With resurrection it was undeniable any longer that He is God. What they could do at the moment was to deny resurrection. Hence, in today’s gospel reading, it is said, “While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers and said, ‘Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep and if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’” Our own business as the children of resurrection is to bear witness to resurrection, living it and speaking about it to every one.
Resurrection is also made possible because Jesus Christ walked the path of life. It is said in today’s first reading thus: “You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.” When we walk the path of life, we will also partake in resurrection. The path of life is the path that leads to resurrection. Just as resurrection is a testimony that Jesus Christ is God, so also it is a testimony that one has walked the path of life. What is really the path of life? The path of life consists in these words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).
O God, who give constant increase to your Church by new offspring, grant that your servants may hold fast in their lives to the Sacrament they have received in faith.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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