An encounter with the Risen Christ

LA FOSSE, Charles de
Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene
1680-85

 An encounter with the Risen Christ

Ask one hundred believers in Jesus Christ to describe who he is to them and one hundred distinctive answers will be delivered. Ask the same person this question a number of times spaced over the years and it will be answered somewhat differently each time. This will not be because of any sort of mistake or artifice on the part of the responders. Rather, it is a function of an emerging and continuously developing personal relationship with the Lord. Life experience, prayerful effort and sacramental graces all work to move this affair of love along.

Every year the Church gives us the opportunity to experience the resurrection of our Lord and prompts us toward a new encounter with the Risen Christ. Triumphant and generous with his mercy he opens wide his arms to lovingly receive us and lift us up upon his shoulders. Yesterday, Pope Francis addressed thousands of faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for the Regina Coeli, exclaiming, “Happy Easter! Christ is Risen! He is truly risen. Let the joyous wonder of Easter Sunday radiate through our thoughts, looks, attitudes, gestures and words.” He went on to note that such radiating wonder must come “from within us,” from a heart that is “immersed in the source of this joy.”

The Holy Father then noted the example of Mary Magdalene, who “wept for the loss of her Lord and could not believe her eyes seeing him risen.” She had already undergone a significant conversion after our Lord freed her of her demons so that she became his loyal and loving disciple; one who would not be frightened away from the foot of his cross at the time of his passion. But now, upon encountering her Lord, risen from the tomb, she embarked upon a new and even more joyous journey of conversion, seeing and understanding Jesus Christ with new eyes and a new heart.

We can all learn from this that our own conversions are never completed in our own lifetimes and we should not become so complacent as to believe that we have arrived at our ultimate destination. The inestimable gift that our Lord holds out for us is that he always has more in store for us to explore the depths of his sacred heart. And so we may always grow in our understanding and love for him, far beyond any comprehension we now have.  

This is the promise and gift he made to Mary Magdalene in the garden. Then he favored her by instructing her to go tell the other disciples that he will meet them. This is the same favor he gives to each one of us upon our encounter with him as the Risen Christ; that we too may race forward to give the glad news to others by “letting the joyous wonder of Easter Sunday radiate through all our thoughts, looks, attitudes, gestures and words.”