“Eternal life is the perfect fulfillment of desire; inasmuch as each of the blessed will have more than he desired or hoped for.”
READ: MATTHEW 28:1–10
After the sabbath, and towards dawn on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to visit the sepulchre. And all at once there was a violent earthquake, for the angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. His face was like lightning, his robe white as snow. The guards were so shaken, so frightened of him, that they were like dead men. But the angel spoke; and he said to the women, “There is no need for you to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said he would. Come and see the place where he lay, then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and now he is going before you to Galilee; it is there you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell the disciples. And there, coming to meet them, was Jesus. “Greetings,” he said. And the women came up to him and, falling down before him, clasped his feet. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there.”
YOUR THREE-STEP GUIDE TO DAILY MENTAL PRAYER
REFLECT
For the first time in St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus calls His apostles “my brothers.” This marks a qualitative leap in their relationship with the Lord. Now that they have partaken of the Eucharist, they have Christ’s own life within them; they are the first fruits of the New Covenant.
In Christ, we are no longer merely members of a chosen people, as in the Old Covenant, but we are sons with the Son; we are children of God’s family; members of the household of God. Christ’s restoration of communion between man and God has elevated man’s dignity. This is why we sing on the Easter Vigil, “O Happy fault [the sin of Adam] that won for us so great a Redeemer!” As St. Augustine explained as the mighty Roman Empire was crumbling all around him, God permits evil only because in His wisdom, goodness, and omnipotence, He can bring an even greater good out of it. What a friend we have in Jesus!
RESPOND
You have been faithful unto death, Lord — death on a cross. And You have risen on the third day, just as You predicted. I believe in You. I put all my hopes in You. I thank You for the gift of faith. I thank You for Your saving sacrifice and Resurrection. You have promised to prepare a place for me in Heaven — my own place in Your household. Make me worthy of Your promises, Lord.
REST
Mary, how blessed was your reunion with Jesus! He is faithful, and He rewarded your fidelity. Mother, pray for me and for all Christians, that our hearts will overflow with the hope, the courage, and the assurance that only Christ can give. Cause of our joy, pray for us.
RESOLVE
How can I carry this encounter with me into the day? (Write / Journal)
CLOSING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Most Blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your love and Your grace in allowing me this time of prayer with You.
The world, the flesh, and the devil will all propose things I should focus on and run after today. I beg You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me instead to know and embrace Your will. Help me to see what You desire of me each moment of this day. Give me the wisdom, strength, and fortitude I need to avoid distractions, discern Your will, and focus on and carry out that which Wisdom reveals. Help me to work and live at a pace of peace and prayerfulness, always attentive to You, able to hear Your voice and to say no to anything that hinders my journey to You and a complete yes to every Holy prompting from You.
Help me to humbly and purposefully live, light, and lead others to the path of union with You and to tell everyone about this way of life. Amen.
About the Author
Fr. John Bartunek was ordained in 2003. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and has authored many books, including the Gospel companion, The Better Part, and Inside the Passion, the only authorized behind-the-scenes look at the film, for which he provided on-set spiritual support. His online retreat guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org. Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as territorial vicar for the Legionaries of Christ.
