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Sunday, April 8, 2007

He is risen! Alleluia, alleluia!

"Joy is the song of the spirit under the pressure of happiness."
(Janet Erskine Stuart)

Jesus began to spread joy on Easter morning. I firmly believe with St. Ignatius that Jesus went first to visit his mother. She was not with the women who ran to the tomb. Was it her faith that allowed her to wait or had Jesus come to her?

Jesus, knowing that Mary Magdalene had returned to the tomb weeping, appears to her and calls her by name. He sends her to give the good news that He is risen. Jesus later will appear to Peter and to the two discouraged disciples who have left Jerusalem. Like the disciples, they refused to believe the women and went away sad. Jesus comes and walks with them and their "hearts were burning within them" but they only recognized him in the breaking of the bread when they had begged him to sup with them.

Then Jesus appears to his apostles gathered together that Easter night. Instead of reproaching them, he gives the gift of forgiveness to all in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He wants us to share his joy and to give joy to others.

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