After Mass on Easter, we returned home to prepare for a family visit. Our children, their spouses, and grandchildren gathered for brunch with us. These gatherings are brimming with conversation and celebration. Seeing everyone enjoy themselves and trying to listen to all the voices and stories attentively is a delightful challenge.
After our guests had left, we sat, relaxed, and reflected on the visit. In a sense, we relived the activity, sharing feelings, the stories told, and our impressions of having the family together. They leave us with enduring hope, a joyful consolation. We are harvesting what we planted. It is so good to be with them. A Blessing!
As spring begins to take hold in this region, we are planning the garden. We have gotten to know the people at the farm where we obtain the plants and look forward to reacquainting each year. It is always good to see them. It’s a busy time, and we have only a few moments to chat and wish each other the best. It is a joyful visit. I think it’s an act of faith in God’s creative activity to plant a seedling in the soil.
Sifting through our experience and reflecting on how our day has unfolded is a particularly human activity. I believe that God gave us this reflective ability to help us grow closer to Him. His grace renews our ability to recognize His presence.
“Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)
Eastertime invites reflection on the many ways the Risen Jesus is present in our day, our relationships, our tasks, and all our encounters with others. The appearances of Jesus to His followers that we find in the Gospels call us to a new awareness of how He is active in our lives, how New Life in Christ enlivens us and our families.
The Emmaus disciples recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:13-35). The disciples, while fishing, saw Him on the shore preparing a meal (John 21:1-14). Thomas, the apostle, came to faith upon seeing the Risen Jesus (John 20:24-29). In these and other encounters, I wonder whether any of Jesus’ followers might have said to Him something like, “It is so good to see you.”
Let us pray in our families to be attentive to how the Risen Lord Jesus is present to us, giving us Hope, Joy, and New Life.
