April 6 Monday: Mt 28:8-15
Today’s Gospel brings us to the empty tomb, the place where sorrow turns into joy, where confusion gives way to faith.
Very early in the morning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb. These were the same women who had stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross when many others had fled. Love brought them there, even in grief.
But what they found was unexpected.
The stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty.
What they expected to find was a dead body.
What they encountered was the beginning of a new creation.
From Fear to Joy
At first, there was shock, confusion, even fear. But as they ran to tell the disciples, something extraordinary happened.
They met the risen Jesus.
He greeted them, not with reproach, but with peace. Then He entrusted them with a mission:
“Go and tell my brothers…”
These women became the first witnesses of the Resurrection, the first messengers of Easter. In a beautiful reversal, those who stayed at the Cross are now the first to proclaim the victory.
The Contrast: Truth and Falsehood
At the same time, the guards reported what had happened. But instead of accepting the truth, the authorities chose to suppress it. They bribed the soldiers to spread a false story.
Here we see a powerful contrast:
- The women respond with faith and courage
- The authorities respond with fear and manipulation
The Resurrection demands a response. It cannot be ignored.
What Does the Resurrection Mean for Us?
1. The foundation of our faith
The Resurrection is not just one event among many. It is the heart of Christianity.
As Saint Paul the Apostle teaches, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
Everything we believe stands on this truth:
Christ is alive.
2. The living presence of Jesus
The risen Lord is not distant. He is present:
- In the Holy Eucharist
- In the Word of God
- In the praying community
- In every believer
We are never alone. The One who conquered death walks with us daily.
3. A call to become witnesses
Like the two Marys, we are sent.
We are called to:
- Share the joy of the Resurrection
- Recognize Christ in others
- Serve Him in the people around us
We are invited to become, in a real sense, “apostles to others”, carrying the Good News into our world.
Conclusion
Easter is not just a celebration of what happened to Jesus.
It is a celebration of what happens to us.
- Fear becomes courage
- Sin is forgiven
- Death gives way to life
The tomb is empty.
Christ is risen.
And because He lives, we too shall live.
Let us go forth like the women of the Gospel, with faith in our hearts, joy in our steps, and the courage to proclaim:
Christ is truly risen! Alleluia!
April 7 Tuesday: Jn 20:11-18
Today’s Gospel gives us one of the most beautiful and personal moments in all of Scripture, the encounter between the risen Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
She goes to the tomb early in the morning, carrying sorrow, confusion, and love. But instead of closure, she finds an empty tomb.
And yet, even when Jesus stands before her, she does not recognize Him.
The Mystery of Gradual Recognition
This moment reflects a pattern we often see in the Gospel of Gospel of John, that understanding comes gradually.
- Nicodemus struggles to understand being “born again” (John 3)
- The Samaritan woman slowly discovers Jesus as the Messiah (John 4)
Now Mary stands before the risen Lord, yet thinks He is the gardener.
Why?
Because she is overwhelmed by grief.
Because she is focused on loss.
Because she assumes the worst, that the body has been stolen.
Her tears blur not only her eyes, but her faith.
The Turning Point: Being Called by Name
Everything changes in one moment.
Jesus calls her: “Mary.”
That single word opens her eyes.
She recognizes Him, not by sight, but by relationship.
This is deeply personal.
God does not save us as a crowd.
He calls each of us by name.
From Encounter to Mission
Once Mary recognizes Jesus, she is immediately sent:
“Go to my brothers…”
She becomes the first witness of the Resurrection, the first to proclaim:
“I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18).
As Thomas Aquinas beautifully noted, sometimes simple, faithful love sees more clearly than great intellectual knowledge.
What Does This Mean for Us?
1. We can fail to recognize Jesus
Like Mary, we can miss His presence:
- Because we are distracted
- Because we are burdened by grief
- Because we are blinded by sin or routine
Sometimes Jesus is right in front of us, in people, in situations, in daily life, and we do not see Him.
2. We must listen for His voice
Recognition comes when we allow Him to speak to us.
We hear His voice:
- In prayer
- In the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist
- In the Word of God
It is there that He calls us by name again and again.
3. We are called to be witnesses
Mary did not keep the experience to herself.
She went and proclaimed:
“I have seen the Lord.”
That is the essence of Christian life, to encounter Christ and to share Him.
Conclusion
The Resurrection is not just about an empty tomb.
It is about a living relationship.
Jesus still stands near us.
He still calls us by name.
The question is:
Will we recognize Him?
And when we do, will we go and tell others?
Christ is truly risen! Alleluia!
