Catherine of Siena wrote: "Out of darkness is born the light." We are a resurrection people, celebrating the light of love during the Easter season. This light is so large that it cannot be contained in just one day—so liturgically we have weeks of celebrating Jesus’ rising from the dead. Of course, we are invited to live this every day, regardless of the liturgical calendar.
Gamaliel understood what was being born from the darkness. He wisely counsels the Sanhedrin by saying: “But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” If it comes from God…all things come from God. We were made By Love, For Love. And yet, don’t you and I sometimes fight against ourselves AND God? I certainly can get in my own way, as well as in God’s way. The Apostles let fear get in their way during Jesus’ lifetime. Yet look at the conversion they underwent.
The Apostles rejoiced in the fact that they were found worthy to suffer for Jesus. They were emboldened…strengthened…fed. They were ablaze with the desire to go forth and continue the work and message of Jesus. “Speak the truth in a million voices. It is silence that kills” writes Catherine of Siena. Her words fit the action of the Apostles and our own times as well. Like the early followers of Jesus, we are challenged to stand for the truth, to speak the words of love, to stand tall in the face of discrimination and oppression.
Voices are ringing out all over the world, crying out for an end to violence that occurs not only in the United States, but in every corner of the globe. People are emboldened in a new way…strengthened in their resolve…fed by the courage of those crying out. Pope Francis encourages us, especially the young, to shout with all our might and to work for change. We are living in a resurrection time. We are striving toward the light.
Jesus shared this light while he ministered. He knows there is not enough food for the crowds, yet he also knows he can feed them. He takes the loaves of bread and the fish and he GIVES THANKS. From this action, all are fed and there is plenty left over. He instructs them to gather the fragments so that nothing is wasted. Jesus models how we are to live: give thanks and share. Words of love from Love itself.
Our faith comes from God and those around us who witness to this amazing Love which birthed us into being. Let our actions reflect lives that come from God. Let our hunger be fed by experiences that bring us deeper into that light. Let our Easter rejoicing resound for all to hear and take notice. He is risen! Alleluia!