Christ The Victor
Monday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 28:8-15- Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Mary Magdalene and Mary the wife of Clopas are “fearful yet overjoyed.” They have just seen an angel of the Lord who showed them Jesus’ empty tomb and told them, “He is not here, for He has been raised just as He said.” They are “fearful yet overjoyed” because something totally new is beginning for them. They don’t know exactly how, at this point, but they sense their lives are changing. Their lives are not simply changing in the sense that something around them is now different, but their lives are changing into completely new lives. They are beginning to experience the Resurrection of Jesus.
The Resurrection changes everything. Regardless of whether the rest of the world understands or pays attention to what is happening (certainly they will in the end), those who love Christ and believe in Him do change. He lived our death in union with us. We live His Resurrection in union with Him. His Resurrection is our Resurrection. Christ is victorious. With Him we are victorious. How will we celebrate this victory in prayer, in our hearts, in our home, and in our family? What are we doing to celebrate our victory? We cannot celebrate enough!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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