TUESDAY, EASTER OCTAVE
Acts 2: 36-41 Ps 33: 4-5, 18-20, 22 Jn 20: 11-18
RECOGNITION OF SIN LEADS TO TRANSFORMATION
Peter, as we see him in today’s readings, speaks with conviction and experience and that pierces the heart of his listeners. Peter invites them to be conscious of the responsibility that was theirs when they crucified the Messiah. The phrase “cut to the heart” expresses a sudden and overwhelming change. It points to the realization of the wrong they have done. To understand sin, a look at the crucifix is more important than all treatises which explain it. Peter, the repented apostle, said to them, “Repent and be baptised…” This conversion meant more than regret for past wrongs; it signified a renunciation of one’s former way of life and a wholehearted, believing acceptance of Jesus Christ. Such inner transformation would find its visible and sacramental fulfilment in the mystery of Baptism: the sacred moment in which the old self is buried and a new life in Christ begins.
In the Gospel, we have Mary Magdalene who had experienced the merciful love of Jesus. Because of the ardent love of her heart, Mary continued seeking Him, when she could not find Him, even after the other disciples had gone away. Afire with love, she yearned for Him. Thus, it happened that she alone saw Him. She had already sought and found nothing, but she continued seeking and so found the object of her love. Though she did not recognise Him, Jesus recognised her and called her by name. She recognised the voice of her beloved. Outwardly it was He who was the object of her search, but inwardly it was He who was teaching her to search for Him. To recognise the risen Lord’s presence in our life we need to have the experience of His mercy and forgiveness.
Our faith needs to go beyond seeing and hearing. Jesus knows us and continuously calls us by name. Do we hear Him in the depth of our hearts? If we don’t hear Him, we need to continue seeking Him in all the situations of our life. This will lead towards the transformation of our lives into the life of our Master Jesus Christ
Response: His merciful love fills the earth!
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