Seventh Sunday – Easter Cycle C

Reflecting on Luke 24: 44-53

To be honest, we still don’t really know what happened.  We saw him crucified on that tree.  We watched the whole terrifying thing from a distance.  People are saying that he turned to the thief next to him and told him that he would be with him that very day in Paradise.  And then of course we all saw the eclipse of the sun, and even those of us at a safe distance heard him cry out, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. And then he breathed his last.

And as they were looking on, he was lifted up

But I’m sure you’ve heard what happened next.  People are talking about it all over Jerusalem and even up in Galilee.  His body is gone from the tomb.  He has appeared to two of our number as they were returning to Emmaus.  Cephas saw him too, and then he came to us while we were hiding in the same room where we had our last meal with him.  And he wasn’t a ghost, he was really alive!  And we are still incredulous with joy!  Somehow he opened our memories and our understanding.  Life as we knew it is completely different now.

Today we were with him again.  He led us out towards Bethany and said the most beautiful words to us.  We are to be his witnesses, even to the ends of the earth.  And he promised to send us power from the Holy Spirit in just a few days!  We don’t know what that means, but we won’t leave the city until it happens.  What will the spirit do?  How will we be changed?  Is it possible that, once again, a great miracle will happen here?  We wait in joyful hope.

Sharing God’s Word at Home:

As we anticipate the great feast of Pentecost, what gifts of the Spirit would you most like to experience in a more powerful way?

Easter - Cycle C