Daily Homily Thursday in the Octave of Easter (Luke 24:35-48) “Proof Positive” 4-16-2020
Thursday in the Octave of Easter (Luke 24:35-48) “Proof Positive”
What is the proof of the Resurrection? How do we know we can believe the stories of Jesus coming back from the dead?
The Gospels offer us several proofs. For the disciples who saw the risen Lord the proof of Jesus’ living presence among them after his death was physical. Their own eyes saw Jesus. Their hands could touch his wounds.
The proof for the second generation of Christians was the witness of the Apostles. We can imagine how powerful it was to hear Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene and all the rest of the Apostles share their firsthand experiences of being with the risen Lord when he appeared to them.
Somehow those proofs have faded through the years. But Jesus seems to offer another proof. The resurrection accounts say in the Gospel of Luke that Jesus opened their eyes to the understanding of the scriptures.
We live out our Christian beliefs 2,000 years after the Christ came, our main proof for the resurrected Jesus is the Gospel he came to proclaim. He taught us how to pray. He gave us a moral code. Jesus gave us the Eucharist. He taught us about God’s mercy.
If we put Jesus’ teachings into practice in our life it affects our whole outlook. In the end we a have a chance to find joy and hope.
We see so much pessimism in the world at any time. Right now, we are weighed down by a mountain of worry as we live in the uncertainty of the present pandemic. We need the Gospel more than we ever have. We need to live in charity. We need to let go of anger. Especially, we need to pray, for that is the key to the spiritual life. Are we taking our problems to God? Are we talking honestly to the Lord laying our feelings before him? If we are, there is a consolation that comes from that. That is one proof of we have of the resurrection.
Dear Parishioners,
I was called to a nursing home yesterday to anoint a dying parishioner and I was reminded of how things have changed. I had to find out if the person had the Corona Virus. I was told that she did not, but there was still protocols to go through. I had my temperature checked and filled out a questionnaire when I arrived. I had to wear booties which I have never had to do before (kind of awkward with size twelve feet) and then of course there was a mask and gown. I used a piece of cotton to anoint her rather than my thumb. I took care not to touch her or her son. This is the new normal. I had put on my armor against the evil of the virus. All in all, the protection seemed kind of flimsy. I do not like the new normal.
I could not help but think of St. Paul’s numerous references to clothing as he talked about living in Christ. “All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with him. (Galatians 3:27).
Our best defense against the evils of this world is the fact that we are clothed with Christ. We must wear our Christianity like protective gear. Just like medical personnel must meticulously gown up to take care others, our Christian virtue must always be wrapped around us. We need that virtue now more than ever. At times, our Christian belief may seem to be weak, but if we hold fast our faith it can give us the strength, we need to make it through the unexpected difficulties of life. I like the gown of my Christianity a lot more than the medical gown, but both are very necessary. One keeps me physically healthy. The other uplifts my spirit.
Please pray for Genevieve Vrombaut, who will be buried tomorrow, and her family. Genevieve was a long-time member of our parish. This is a difficult time because families cannot have Catholic religious services other than the prayers at the grave and the grieving family members need extra prayers.
Praying along at Mass via livestreaming is hard without a missalette. If you wish to find the Scripture readings for Mass, you can find them at USCCB.org.
May the Our Lady, all the angels and saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark