Luke 24:1‑12
Why do you search for the living one among the dead.
St. Gaspar del Bufalo:
"With regard to your soul, I say, in the first place, that God is leading you along the royal path of the Cross in your particular station of life with both internal and external sufferings. ... It is now a winter season ..-. but eventually that lovable spring will arrive which will enable us to breathe again in the fatherland of the saints. Oh how we are comforted in our souls by the mysteries of the Resurrection! Yes, please pray that I too may truly be risen with Jesus, that is to say, to a new life and to an eager pursuit of holiness."[1]
"Let us, therefore, pray for one another and put all our trials in the wounds of the crucified Jesus. There we shall find a healing remedy --- consolation, encouragement and salvation. Let us sincerely love our Society "with the holy kiss"[2] so that "we too might live a new life."[3] But above all, let us continually watch that the enemy does not deceive us: and may "the peace of God which is so much greater than we can understand, guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus."[4] [5]
Reflection
The end of the Lenten season has come, swallowed in the Paschal mysteries celebrated in the Holy Triduum. And now it is day. The suffering one is vindicated. Spring has come. The flowers in the church sanctuaries around the globe give witness to a flowering of new life.
The old life is gone. The past is past. Death is defeated, and life forever is claimed. Are you not aware that you who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? It is so that by bearing a likeness to his death we may also bear a likeness to his resurrection. Life as you have lived it is demanded of you. You have died and the life you live now is in Christ.
St. Gaspar who has taught us about the cross, shows us the way to the springtime of Easter. May we too live in the power of the resurrection, and be comforted and enlivened by these mysteries.
-- What is the most significant thing that happened to you in this Lenten season?
-- What about these mysteries we celebrate give you the most hope?
-- Describe how the peace of the risen Lord holds guard over your life?
[1] to Mother Maria Nazzarena De Castris, 10 April 1830, Letter 2026 Strokes of the Pen IV, 9.28, pg. 45
[2] 1 Th 5:26
[3] Rm 6:4
[4] Ph 4:7
[5] From the First Circular Letter, 1826