Am I missing the Risen Lord from my Life?

Gospel Thoughts*

*Easter Season : Easter Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Jn 20:1-9*

*First Reading - Acts 10:34a, 37-43*

*Second Reading - Col 3:1-4 or I Cor 5:6b-8*

*Am I missing the Risen Lord from my Life?*

*1) Mary Magdalene is in search of Jesus*

Early Sunday morning Mary went in search of Jesus, near to the tomb

After the death of Jesus, Mary really missed Jesus, that's why she came early in the Morning to the tomb to see Jesus in the Tomb

The Emptiness which was created by the absence of Jesus did not allow her to sit quiet. That is why early in the morning she was in search of Jesus and came to the Tomb.

*2) Mary missed the Risen Lord*

As soon as Mary reached the Tomb, she saw that the stone at the entrance of the tomb was rolled back. 

Immediately she concluded that some body had taken away the Lord from the tomb

That is why without delay or verifying the fact, she goes back hurriedly and communicates the same to the disciples 

She simply says *They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him.*

Here we also see that there is no reference to the Risen Lord by Mary. May be it might not have occurred to her mind.

*3) They have taken away the Lord - Who are they?*

In the context of the Gospel Mary may be referring to the guards, or soldiers, or to the Jewish authorities or to the roman authorities or any other persons 

All these were involved in the crucifixion of Jesus and it is likely that they may take away Him in order to destroy even the last prof of His existence

So the reference to the *they* also becomes very important in the context

*4) When Mary missed Jesus she searched for Him*

When Mary missed Jesus, without wasting time, she really searched for Jesus 

She used all the means to find Him. She also took the help of His disciples 

Finally Mary was able to find not the dead Jesus but the Risen Lord. That is something spectacular

*5) Am I missing the Risen Lord*

First of all did I really missed Jesus from my life after His crucifixion, like that of Mary

Secondly did I really search my Lord, like that of Mary who came early in the morning searching for Jesus 

Thirdly am I using the possible means to find my missing Lord, like that of Mary 

Fourthly, Am I really anxious like that of Mary when she missed Jesus and when she ran back to communicate the same to the disciples? 

*6) 'They' have taken away the Lord -  What are 'They' in my Life?*

The concept of *They* has greater relevance to my life 

*They* represent those things which take away the Risen Lord and the Joy of the Risen Lord. 

*They* may be the following 

Pride

Arrogance

Revenge

Anger

Unforgiveness

Jealousy

Division

Rivalry

Greed

Worldliness

Laziness

*7) Will I find the Risen Lord in my Life?*

As I celebrate the Easter feast will I be able to encounter the Risen Lord?

Is my Easter without the Risen Lord? 

What are the possible *they* which will take away the Risen Lord from my Life? 

Does my attitude, way of life, my behaviour show that Christ is really Risen from the dead? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*