Tuesday Reflection by Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P.
Readings from: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041922.cfm
The Lent we just experienced, the Easter we’re celebrating now, and the Pentecost event we anticipate, are all connected. Our readings today make this clear and three words can sum up this Scripture message to us: reform, rejoice and retell.
First, reform. That’s what Peter is telling the people to do in the first reading. They were ‘cut to the heart’ when Peter reminded them that they had crucified Jesus, and now they wanted to reform their lives. Peter told them to repent, be baptized, and indeed, thousands did so that day. They were promised the Holy Spirit, and they waited with hope.
As we reflect on this past Lent, we had opportunities to reform our lives. How did we do? Did anything change in our lives? Although Easter is here now, it’s still a daily challenge for us to examine our hearts, our attitudes, and our actions to reform our lives to be more Christlike.
Second: rejoice. This Easter season is a time to rejoice. We can even rejoice while we’re reforming because we know Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again. He sent us the Holy Spirit to guide us, and for this great gift, we rejoice. The Alleluia verse before our gospel says it all: “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it.”
Third: retell. In our gospel, Mary Magdalen, this one, singular woman who followed Christ unreservedly, was the first one trusted by Christ to spread the word that He had risen from the dead. Then she told the disciples who then retold it to others everywhere, especially after receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
All who encounter the living and loving Christ retell the story of the wonders the Lord has done in their lives. As Christ’s followers, we do the same. By our words and actions, we retell what it means to be a follower of Christ.
Reform, rejoice, retell…this is our privilege and our call. Alleluia, alleluia.
