Wednesday Reflection
Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Easter-tide.
Had you been able to attend Holy Mass on Easter Sunday, after the 2nd Reading you would have heard the Easter Sequence, known as Victimae Paschali Laudes in Latin. It is a beautiful and ancient poem, telling a short narrative story of morning of the Resurrection. While it is obligatory on Easter Sunday, it may also be sung or recited at Mass during the Octave of Easter. It invites us, “To the Paschal Victim let Christians offer a sacrifice of praise.” The Hymn initially refers to the Risen Christ who reconciles sinners. Then, the focus turns to Mary Magdalene, the first to witness to the Resurrection and, as she rushes to the place of the Saviour’s burial, the question is posed, “What didst thou see upon the way?” She tells us she saw the tomb, the angels, the shroud. But the tomb contains no one. Christ is Risen and Mary declares Him, Victorious! Being deprived of Mass and the Sacraments, may strangely enhance our desire for them. Our physical absence makes us long for the day when once more we have the freedom to practise our Faith with one voice and one heart. Did you know this….the Tower of Babel was never completed. Probably too many voices giving different and varied advice and instruction! The result? Confusion, disarray and disorder. When we return to Church and to School, let our enthusiasm and drive be directed towards a unity of Faith, a unity of Hope, a unity of Charity and a unity of Fraternal Love. Then, perhaps, we will encounter the Victorious One and we will experience a peace of soul as Mary Magdalene did.
Let us Pray:
Lord God, you have made one people out of many different races and nations, united through confessing the glory of Your Name. Let there be one faith in our hearts and one love in our Christian way of life. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Monsignor Monaghan
