Over the past few weeks in our readings from the Word of God, we have heard accounts of the reaction of different groups of people to Jesus’ resurrection. From disbelief, amazement, astonishment, they have come to accept the fact that Jesus Christ has truly risen. This has meant a profound change in their understanding of and attitude to Jesus and we could see that it hadn’t always been a comfortable change either.
Heraclitus a Greek philosopher has said that “There is nothing permanent except change”! Change is all around us, it is part of life. We see it in the blossoming trees, budding flowers, longer days and brighter mornings. Change can be uncomfortable, even when we would want that change. It introduces the unknown and what was predictable is no longer predictable. In our reflections over the past few months we have pondered over the “newness” that God is calling us to. This necessarily calls us to change, to leave behind present patterns of thinking, acting and of being in order to accept “the new”. We pray for the grace to be open to that newness and to respond. While reflecting on the Easter message, let us gently challenge ourselves as to what difference the Easter message has made to our lives. After the celebration of Holy Week and the Easter liturgy, have I just gone back to my daily life as before or has it changed me and life is different for me?
The persecution of Christians continues to be part of our world news and for Christians living in the areas affected there must be dramatic changes to their lives. Also, the tragic accounts of the migrants who die in their pursuit of freedom are before us almost every day in the news. Let us continue to support them with our prayer and self denial!