May Joy Arise!

Resurrection is beyond of our comprehension.
Our first reaction to the strange, unusual, striking event is a fear.
And this fear drives us away from God's miracle, back to ordinary, usual life.

Evangelist Mark says that women, who saw the angel in the empty tomb, "went out and fled away from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them" (Mk. 16: 8).

However Matthew says that Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice" (Matt. 28: 9).

Christ meets us, stops in the return to the past, to transmit joy of new life.

Today we may hear about the joy of the Resurrection and the miracle of new life from the pulpit of "evangelical pope" Francis: "With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!" ("The Joy of The Gospel").

We all have our fears - of unworthiness, uncertainty, weakness, danger, death. Fear is associated with the past, the old life. But the joy of the Resurrection releases us from the past and fear.
He has risen, so we have a chance to live in a radically new way.

We buried our joy with Him, but it was resurrected with Him.
The tomb is empty. Our joy is with us.

The resurrected One again and again speaks to us: "Do not be afraid!", "Rejoice!".

May our Joy Arise in this Easter season!