Post Resurrection Joy

There was a movie many years ago entitled, Groundhog Day.  The main character continued to wake up on Groundhog Day, and tried in vain to "shock" his life back into a cycle of normalcy.  During this the Octave of Easter, we have continued to read from the various resurrection accounts.  From one perspective it is seemingly redundant, but it helps us to continue to celebrate what is the center and main theme of our faith.  The Paschal Mystery gives joy and hope to our journey of faith.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal alludes to each Sunday of the Church year as being a 'mini-Easter.'  In a very real way each time we celebrate the Eucharist we do so from their perspective of the memorial of the Paschal Mystery.  So whether it be the chapel Mass wit the Fourth graders, or the 9:30 Mass on Sunday (our version of a High Mass) we are recollecting the Jesus event of suffering, dying, and rising.  While seemingly boring the Mass is new each and every time.  More so it becomes an opportunity to reflect upon and grow closer to the mystery we celebrate.

A difficulty occurs when we try to force our own pious devotions on the Mass.  We insist that certain elements or an atmosphere be created, because it helps me pray.  We like to be in charge so we take possession of some aspect of the liturgy and try to control it.  Or we believe that we should have an intense spiritual experience each and every time we go to Mass.  These expectations are very different from the description of communal prayer as found in the Second Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.  St. Luke speaks about a community gathering together as in communion; one body together.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a powerful moment of grace and blessing for each of us which cannot be trivialized.  Men and women of faith are transformed by what has occurred for us at the cross and resurrection. The Mass, and the Body of Christ, the Church, is a springboard into the world to be about the mission of Jesus Christ.  We do not gather together to pray individually, but to renew the gift of Christ within us.  This is so we can go and proclaim the Gospel of the Lord.