UNISINOS – RESIDÊNCIA CONCEIÇÃO

R. Aloysio Sehnem, 186                                   17 March, 2012             XLII:1

UNISINOS

Cx. P. 101

93.001-970 São Leopoldo, RS

BRASIL                                                           e-mail:  [email protected]

Dear Friends, Family, Colleagues and Benefactors:

          The celebration is one of two in Christendom commemorated in an “octave”, an 8-day period of spiritual festivities (the other being Christmas). The Easter Octave brings a unique reminder that our entire position before Almighty God and our stance within creation CHANGED instantly, subtly and profoundly through our Redemption by Jesus Christ in the Salvation He won;… free and clear. We were Transformed.

          The subtlety of the original event can be lost as one examines and meditates on it through the present context of profane, modern and post-modern perception; dismissing it completely as a hoax OR assuming it to be one simplistic, “mathematical” event offering little or no challenge to us, the redeemed. Subtle challenge (maddening at times and unique to each participant) was and remains an essential key to Salvation.

          Holy Scripture presents a sequence of manifestations by Jesus Christ of Himself to individuals or groups whose stance was far from “open”. The first such manifestation was to the soldiers, guarding the tomb, sleeping or half-asleep (Mt 28: 4, 11-15). These quickly panicked and then submitted to bribery for purposes of silence and even miss-information. Yet they were, as is all humanity, REDEEMED. Hopefully they repented of their fault and embraced the Savior.

          The sequence continues with a group of pious women who approached the tomb well before daybreak on Easter Sunday (Mk 16: 1-5; Mt 28: 1-3: Lk 24: 1-8) wondering who would remove the stone at the entrance of the tomb. At their arrival the stone is conveniently removed and a “young man” (angelic in origin) patiently informs them of the Risen Savior directing them to notify Christ’s disciples of His Resurrection. These instructions they dutifully absorb and then ignore because of unadulterated FEAR.

          One of these women remains near the tomb for no specific reason except a personal longing to locate the missing corpse of the Crucified. Personally manifesting Himself to her, she fails to recognize Him and even confuses Him for one of the hirelings,…. the gardener (Jn 20: 15) in a dialogue that permits Christ only one word; “Miriam” (Mary in Hebrew, her name). At this she recognized Him as “Raboni” (Master) and apparently tries something akin to a tackle hoping to keep Him in one place. He then strictly instructs her “Do no detain me.” but sends her to inform His disciples of His resurrection. This she does with no complication and is quickly dismissed as incoherent (Lk 24: 9-11; Mk 16: 9-11).

          Still later that same day Christ manifests Himself to a couple of followers, in hurried and frightened exit from Jerusalem, engaging them in lively conversation and clarification (Lk 25: 13-35). These also fail to recognize Him until He actually breaks bread with them and then disappears at which time they muster blithe courage, return to Jerusalem and discover that the entire group is confused concerning the day’s events.

          This scenario of doubt, fear and surprise is crucial in that it verifies the respect and patience of the Redeemer for EACH one of us individually. His manifestations are unique and specific, according  to each one’s capacity. HE perseveres WITH us notwithstanding our personal DENSITY (spiritual or otherwise). Receive HIM; with a

Peaceful and Blessed Pascal tide!

                                                                                  Sincerely in Jesus Christ

                                                                                             Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.