By Zoe Cannon
Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him” (John 14:23).
Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. Mary Magdalene didn’t expect to see the Risen Jesus at the tomb on Easter morning. When she realized he was alive; she wanted to touch him and put the crucifixion and his death behind her. She was hoping to go back to the relationship she enjoyed with her teacher and friend. We cannot touch Jesus here on earth, but we learn from Mary Magdalene, Thomas and the disciples that Jesus is always with us — forever!
The doubting of Thomas creates an unforgettable image. Jesus invites Thomas to touch his wounds, making his passing through death very real. The journey to Jerusalem, the crucifixion and the resurrection all remind us that Jesus is truly human and divine. The main characters in the gospel narrative of the Paschal mystery give hope to the failures and missteps in our own lives. To touch Jesus is to worship him, and our mission is to spread this good news.
In religion class, I asked my students to reflect on the spectators who witnessed Christ’s dying and rising. We imagined being there and how we would have felt. Our focus was on the thoughts of the Blessed Mother, Peter, Judas, Mary Magdalene, Simon of Cyrene, Veronica, Joseph of Arimathea, the grieving Apostles, Pontius Pilate, the crowd yelling crucify him, and the good thief St. Dismas. This event in salvation history is our redemption story, and we should appreciate his suffering.
The Easter season continues for 50 days until Pentecost. We should always ask the Holy Spirit to instruct us for our mission here on earth. How are you spreading the good news of the gospel? How are you touching the Risen Jesus in your prayer life or your actions towards others?
We ask God to help us, and heaven comes running! God is always with us. His physical presence may seem distant and a mystery, but in sharing love with others, he becomes very present to the world. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
When you put God first in your life, others benefit. In springtime there are many opportunities; as we prepare little children for their First Holy Communion, support a young couple in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, pray for those who have spent years discerning the Sacrament of Holy Orders, watch students graduate and embark on the next phase of life, or care for the sick and elderly who suffer from loneliness or health issues every day. We must know our faith, share the gift and help others believe!
Thirteen years ago this month, I became a grandma for the first time. Those years flew by so quickly! Now we have eight beautiful grandchildren. Creating family is God’s plan for sharing his love. Faith is the best gift to pass on to your loved ones. If you love God and follow his word, he will dwell in you, and others will feel his presence — that is our mission! Enjoy the journey! Amen!