Mosaic of the Resurrected Christ by Marko Ivan Rupnik SJ
Newness of life is a dominant theme we find in the Easter narratives. There is a marked shift in the disposition of the disciples: from being fearful to courageous and from being desperate to hopeful. Faith prevailed over skepticism. The disciples’ encounters with the risen Lord became their game changers. These triggered their experience of newness of life despite the persistence of sin and evil.
Every year we celebrate Easter, and yet sin and evil seem to prevail. In the second year of the pandemic, inequalities have become more particularly acute. We see which countries have more access than others in obtaining the vaccines. The poor remain the most vulnerable in ensuring sustainable livelihood and good health. Increasingly people suffer and die needlessly with no clear end in sight in the foreseeable future. Closer to home here in Asia Pacific, in addition to the challenges wrought about by the pandemic, democratic institutions in several countries are eroded to make way for dictatorship. In worst cases, people get killed for protesting peacefully or for criticising the government. It is not difficult to resonate with the prayer of the psalmist: “How long, Lord?” People are tempted to despair and give up. Has the Lord truly risen?
As people of Easter, we continually affirm our need to be renewed and transformed in our encounters with the risen Lord. Ignatius of Loyola opened his heart to the transformative power of the risen Lord nearly 500 years ago following his injury at the battle of Pamplona on 20 May 1521. He began to experience inner transformations in his life. He became attracted to the lives of great saints. “Saint Dominic did this, so I have to do it too. Saint Francis did this, so I have to do it too.” His desire to follow and serve the Lord grew in time. He started “to see new things in Christ”.
May the newness of life experienced by the disciples and Ignatius sustain us to confront sin and evil. May our celebration of Easter usher in a new season of courage, hope, and faith.
Blessed Easter to one and all!
