Yesterday, the Boston Marathon took place, and thousands of runners of all ages and abilities attempted to run from Hopkinton to the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston as fast as they could. If you asked all but a few elite runners, the main objective was to complete the 26.2 miles and cross that finish line, not to win or place in the race.
I love watching the race and hearing the stories of the people running: what and who motivates them to train hard, and often to run through all sorts of injuries and pain.
In a way, we’ve just completed our Lenten marathon, and now we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, not just for a day but eight days of Easter Sundays, or the Octave of Easter.
Today’s readings caused me to think and pray about our need to let the events of Holy Week really sink in; to help us in our race through this life.
In our first reading, Peter continues preaching on who Jesus is and how we respond to His teaching.
At times, we can feel like the Jewish people, who, after realizing they had called for the death of Jesus, the Son of God, "were cut to the heart." That’s a great expression that signifies the depth of their guilt, that it pierced their hearts. And then they did what we’re called to do when we realize we’ve sinned against God; they sought a way to reconcile and asked Peter’s guidance.
Peter’s response was to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and to receive the Holy Spirit. Peter exhorted them to “save themselves from this corrupt generation.” Those of us who have been baptized have received forgiveness from original sin and the Holy Spirit; this was our starting line in our journey of faith with Jesus. And, for us when we sin we’re called to go to Confession and receive God’s forgiveness and strength.
However, even during the Easter Season, we can feel like Mary Magdalene who is searching for Jesus where we expect to find Him. We can pray, go to Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, do works of charity, and still feel sadness or worry.
In her sadness, through her tears, Mary couldn’t recognize Jesus, the One she was seeking. But, by Jesus’ Word, in calling her name, Mary recognized Him.
Jesus knows each one of us by name, we probably don’t think about it very often, but He does, and He calls to us in various ways including through His Word, the Eucharist, and the people that He brings into our lives.
May we never forget the power of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection and how His love is present within our souls, and also in the different times we encounter Him, even when we first don’t see Him, like Mary Magdalene, who came to see through hearing Him call her name.
