RISEN - Share it?

It is such a glorious day is it not? Jesus' rising from the dead is not just an amazing miracle and proof that He is all that He said He was, but much, much more. J

esus is the 'first born from the dead' and His resurrection is not just His, but a promise of OURS!!

I think that we all would say that we indeed believe this. But today's Gospel challenges us to confront an important reality: The guards knew the truth. They knew, in a way that was more direct and real than almost anyone in humanity. They were there when the Resurrection happened! The flip side of this reality is that they DID NOT share the news of His rising. In the grand scheme, they judged that the sharing was indeed too dangerous for them. We might think: how can that be??? How can a sum of money, no matter how large, suppress the greatest truth that the world has ever known?

This is where the challenge of today's Gospel comes to us: Have we shared the Good News of His Resurrection? If not, what has stood in the way? Massive sums of money? Threats of harm for us or for our family? Not likely either of these.

While I don't think we always avoid sharing our faith, I think that we can all identify times when we have an opportunity to share the hope of God's promise, or the consolation that He gives to us and remain silent. Frequently our silence is because we are afraid of perception or reputation or rejection. Hardly the perils that the guards faced.

I say this not to condemn, but to call us to something greater THIS EASTER SEASON. We have 50 days until Pentecost, and likely an opportunity or two to share this Good News with someone who needs it. My challenge to all of you is this: write down a name or two, or five - people that you will speak to of God's Love and forgiveness and encourage them to come closer to the Lord.

A PERSONAL NOTE: Thank you for your patience while I took some time away during Lent. It was not entirely intended but turned out to be greatly needed. I have greatly longed to return to this daily rhythm with you. Thanks for reading.