What a strange day it is today.
We can't go to Mass. If we normally see family, we probably can't see them this year if any kind of traveling is involved. Heck, we might not have even been able to get to the store for special food to celebrate. It feels strange, lonely, and honestly, upsetting.
This is supposed to be the most joyous occasion of our Christian life! Certainly, the rest of this Holy Week was spot on. I felt a little lonely, betrayed, and anxious this week right along Jesus and his apostles from the last supper on Holy Thursday, to the horrific Crucifixion, to the waiting and confusion of Holy Saturday.
But Easter, c'mon! I just want to celebrate and see people! Any complaints I've ever made about an Easter Mass—be it the music, the homily, the flowers, I take them all back. At least I could go! At least receiving Jesus in the Eucharist was an option!
So, I took my frustrations to prayer, and realized that the first Easter was probably pretty similar to this Easter we will experience today.
The first Easter and our 2020 Easter of COVID-19 share a lot in common.
The apostles were scared, uncertain, disoriented. They didn't wake up joyfully on Easter morning. They woke up confused and disoriented (if they had even slept much at all). Their worlds had fallen apart that weekend. Jesus was gone. Dead. They had given up everything to follow him and now he wasn't there.
It was only throughout the day that the apostles came to grasp what had happened. When the Marys came to report the miracle that had taken place, no one believed them. So, Peter ran to the tomb and finally started to understand. The disciples on the road to Emmaus, in turn, slowly realized what happened during the only Easter Mass anyone attended that day.
Overall, it seems that the first Easter was troubling and strange. Probably the strangest day of the apostles' lives to date. And it held a roller coaster of emotions. Eventually, the apostles were "incredulous with joy and amazed" when Jesus came to them in Jersualem, but right before that they were "startled and terrified" (Luke 24: 3, 41). They thought they were seeing a ghost. He then gently reassures them. He shows them he is real, and eats with them, promising them an abundance of grace in the days ahead.
So, if you're riding your own roller coaster of uncertainty and loneliness while trying to celebrate this most incredible day, you're in good company.
With Jesus comes hope and salvation. Even when it seems like our lives are spinning out of control. Especially when it seems likes our lives are spinning out of control. He has an abundance of grace to shower upon you today and every day.
Happy Easter! He is Risen.
And He tells us "Peace be with you."
