MONDAY WITHIN EASTER OCTAVE : 21st April 2025

The appearances of our Risen Lord Jesus to several disciples are accompanied by a mandate to continue His good work. While the mandate is to go and proclaim the Good News of God’s reign, the key message has a transformative outlook of the world and eternal life. That outlook is shaped by Jesus’ reassuring words, “Do not be afraid.” It has a tremendous power to St Paul who boldly exclaims, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rm 8:31).

In Matthew’s Resurrection narrative, the women were enveloped by fear and confusion. Yet, it was the Risen Jesus who exhorted them to inform the disciples that they would see Him in Galilee, their own place. Here, we are confronted with two turning points to change our outlook. One, the women were entrusted, by Jesus, the role to elevate their own dignity boldly as equal partners of men, to change the outlook of society that human dignity belongs to all. Second, Galilee was their home ground, the place where they were born, grew up and worked. That is where the Risen Jesus is to be found, in the most familiar places where we grew up. And, it is in our ‘own familiar place’ where we will expect to encounter Jesus, our Risen Lord. Finally, the reassuring words of Jesus “Do not be afraid” must reside in our hearts.

Dear Risen Lord, give me courage to accomplish my duty with joy and gladness that others may change their outlook towards labour and dignity.