First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33
Psalm 16
Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15

In today's Gospel, as so often happens – then and now – it is the women who take center stage; in fact, it is one or more women in each of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) who are the first at the tomb and encounter the Risen Lord.  They have faith in Jesus, and yet they are “with fear and great joy” at the sight of the Lord even as He says “Peace!” Can we fault them for their feelings? If Jesus suddenly appeared to me, wouldn’t I have the same reaction? 
We believe that God exists, and that Jesus was a human being the same as the rest of us, but also the Incarnation (in-the-flesh, the Word-made-flesh) of God in the world.  Would I know Him if I saw Him today?  Of course, it would not be a matter of recognizing His face, but of “knowing” Him from the way He would look at me, from what he would say to me. 
Certainly, one way or another, we will meet Him in death. But how do I prepare for that meeting so that I will recognize Him?  So, the question becomes: How do I get to know Him right now, so I will know him later?

• Do I seek to know Him in the disguises He uses? – the homeless, the addicted, the lonely, the sick ….
• Do I try to find Him in every person I meet, whether I like them or not?
• Do I find Him present and active in every situation, good and bad?
• Do I believe that every moment of my life is an opportunity to find Him at work in me and in His world?

But more importantly, I need to try to understand His teachings and to put them into practice, I need to let myself be formed by His love. Then I’ll be prepared to recognize Him when we meet face to face.
Jesus is Alive! Alleluia!
Fr. Brian