The Lord Has Truly Risen!

Weekly Missionary Reflection
Easter Sunday, 31 March 2024
Acts. 10:34a,37-43; Ps. 118:1-2,16ab-17,22-23; Col. 3:1-4 or 1Cor. 5:6b-8; John 20:1-9; Luk. 24:13-35

“For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead”
(John 20:9)

The disciples were very certain that the sorrowful happening on Good Friday had ended their missions for good and Jesus’ death was the sign of the disappearing love and protection of the Teacher. The disciples locked themselves due to the fear of the Jews. On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning and saw the stone removed from the tomb and found it empty. Jesus has risen!

Today’s Gospel reading of John 20:1-9 is telling about the resurrection of Jesus which was seen by Mary of Magdala and His disciples. When seeing the stone removed from the tomb and Jesus’ body was not there, Mary of Magdala was confused and afraid, then she ran and went to the disciples and told them that the Lord had been taken away. Having heard this news, Simon Peter and the disciples went to the tomb. When Simon Peter and the other disciples arrived at the tomb and saw the sign of Jesus’ resurrection, their faith grew. Unlike Mary of Magdala who thought that Jesus had been taken, Simon Peter and the other disciples comprehended that what Jesus said had become true.

In our daily lives, we also unconsciously doubt and don’t believe in the love of Jesus. We opt to lock ourselves from the world and God’s love, especially during a hard time. Like the disciples who are afraid and lock themselves, we sometimes lose our direction, have fear, and lock ourselves.

Through today’s Scripture reading, we are invited to believe that Jesus is present among us, even in the hardest moments. We are invited to realize that joy and happiness due to Jesus’ resurrection is not only the euphoria during the holy week, and when it’s over we are back to our natural human lives. The joy of Easter is about the revived life in Christ. 

The Passover reminds us that despite life’s difficulty, sorrow, and lost direction, Jesus is always walking with us and supporting us. Through His death and resurrection, we are granted with hope, strength, and eternal life.

Happy Easter 2024. May the joy of Easter always dwell in us. 

(Ignasius Lede – Commission for Mission of The Bishop’s Conference of Indonesia)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church of this month:

Universal Church Intent: For the new martyrs 
We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.

Indonesian Church Intent: Family with disabled kids
We pray that parents and families with disabled kids can interpret the presence of their children as a gift and a means to realize God’s love in a special way.

Amen.