Monday, April 1, 2024
Journeying with Jesus
An excerpt from Matthew 28:9-19
Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
Reflection from Dan Puchalla, St. Gregory’s: This story always makes me laugh. It’s such a silly, ridiculous thing for Jesus to say ... “Greetings!” I always hear it as Jesus saying, “Hey, dudes. ‘Sup?” It’s so casual, so relaxed – a stark juxtaposition to the terror and grief that the disciples just went through on Good Friday. And that’s what makes it perfect. It’s a cathartic release after the built up drama of Holy Week. It’s the breath we finally let out once we realize we had been holding it in. It’s the first laughter we allow ourselves over coffee and cookies after a funeral.
That moment – when we first know that we won’t be sad for ever, that we won’t be afraid for ever, that it does get better – that’s the first glimmer of Resurrection.
Not only that, but we also realize the story has just started. What had been a moment of loss and ending now becomes the beginning of the rest of the story. The disciples, who had been following Jesus for years and for miles, are just starting their journey with Jesus. And so are we. Again. With every loss, with every memory, with every laughter: the journey begins.
“Hemingway’s Path.” Painting by Jon Dutcher, St. Gregory’s, Deerfield.
ADDITIONAL READINGS:
For further study and prayer, the readings assigned for today are:
• Psalm 16:8-11
• Acts 2:14,22b-32
• Matthew 28:9-15
MUSIC:
“Wanting Memories”
Sweet Honey in the Rock
“I am sitting here wanting
memories to teach me
To see the beauty in the world
through my own eyes”
Tags: Easter to Pentecost 2024