April 4 - Easter Sunday

(Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Col 3:1-4; Jn 20:1-9)

Try to imagine how the followers of Jesus felt that first Easter Sunday. They did not yet have the assurance of the resurrection as we do now. The elements of the creed that we recite every Sunday, and perhaps take for granted, came as an absolute shock of wonder amid the depth of their despair after Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. They had not yet understood the words of Jesus. For all they knew, everything they had come to love about life with Jesus was over. They feared for their own lives, too, because of their association with Jesus. When you have sufficiently placed yourself in their frame of mind, you can begin to experience the overwhelming joy that Peter and John felt as they entered the empty tomb, saw the burial cloth, and began to realize what a wonderful thing had happened. Jesus had risen to new life.

We, too, have times when hope seems far away. It could be the sudden loss of a loved one, or a diagnosis of a terminal illness. Just as the disciples rejoiced in Jesus' victory over death, we too can rejoice – even from within our sorrow – for this victory was won for us as well!

• How do the joys of the Good News of the Resurrection affect you and your hopes personally?
• Sometimes people hope for something that turns out not to be what God planned, like those who hoped that Jesus would free Israel from Roman oppression. What attitude can we adopt toward hope that takes this into account?
• Paul told the Colossians, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” What does it mean for you to have your life “hidden with Christ in God?”