Solemnity of Easter April 11, 2004 Scripture: Acts 10:34A, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9 Reflection: Alleluia! “Christ has become our paschal sacrifice; let us feast with joy in the Lord.” - 1 Cor 5:6-8 Like most of us, it is in the early morning that Mary Magdalene comes seeking the paschal sacrifice. Like most of us, the disciples did not yet understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead. Daily our experience of dying and rising in our community, our family, our ministry, our world, draws us to come in the early morning to pour out our heart. We come and are awakened to see, to believe, to grow toward understanding, until Christ our Life appears and we are with him in glory. As I reflected, the phone brought greetings from a wonderful couple, octogenarian volunteers injured five years ago in a ministry accident. Their love and zest for life enfleshed my grateful memories of God’s healing with us, for like Mary, we recognize that we have been changed by the mystery of life. Plunged anew into the Easter Vigil’s mystery of our dying with him, we are raised from the baptismal font in company with the whole Christ: promises renewed. Christ our Light! He is Alive! We are inspirited. We believe and ask to understand. Indeed, like the disciples, we trust in the transforming power of Christ, molding us into chosen witnesses, privileged to eat and drink with him who rose from the dead. Suggested Action: Today, exchange your joy in the Lord. Listen. Sr. Mary Sheehan, IHM Newark, Delaware