Saturday of Easter Octave: Ordinary Men, Ordinary Moments

“It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” - Acts 4:20 

If we won an award, lost a tooth, or had something exciting happen as kids, our first call was always to our grandmother. We would call her with our news as soon as we got home from school and she usually answered. But in the pre-cell phone and pre-voicemail world of the 1980s sometimes we would have to wait and try again later. When this happened, we would not call my aunt or anyone else until we could reach our grandma so she could be the first “hearer” of our news.  

In today’s readings, I can identify both with being the teller and the receiver of incredible news. Jesus did not appear to just any random person who happened by the tomb; He chose Mary Magdalene first for a reason. Maybe it was because of her raw faith and openness to what would seem “impossible” to most of us. Maybe it was because she so missed Him that she could not stay away from his tomb. Maybe it was because of a deep friendship between them: what is happening right now is so real and awesome that I don’t want you to hear it from anyone but me.  

All of these first hearers and witnesses to the Resurrection could not keep the news to themselves. Like a new grandparent who proudly shows baby pictures to people waiting in line in the grocery store or a high school student who hangs a banner on a freeway overpass inviting his girlfriend to prom, are we overflowing with excitement and joy about what Jesus has done to us that we cannot contain it?  

Who are my first “hearers” of any news (good or bad)? What does it feel like for me to receive news I cannot hold inside?  

Lord, help me to rush to you with my daily reality like you drew close to your dear friends in those first Easter days? 

Jen Coito