Page 128 - spiritual_accompaniment_montreal_archdiocese

HOMILIES

A little later, together with the other apostles and some disciples, John will see the risen Jesus
who shows himself before them. But at the moment in the empty tomb, just seeing the linens
placed on the ground was enough for him. This simple sign was enough for him to understand
that Jesus was resurrected, to believe that Jesus is risen.

At some point in our lives, we are living in the midst of the world and are called that we, too,
become signs of the risen Jesus for those around us. We are called to experience in our life
signs of the resurrection of Jesus.

What are the signs in our life that let us see that Jesus is risen? What are the signs that allow us
to say: “I saw a sign and I believe. I believe that Jesus is risen.” These signs can become visible
first in our own life.

In which moment can we recognize them? Consider your experience, reconsider your experi-
ence. Maybe you find there a specific moment in your life when you were hurt and you were
not able to forgive. You then addressed Jesus and said: “Lord, I cannot forgive. I cannot even
want to forgive. Help me! Help me so that I can forgive.”

In the presence of the Lord by your side, you found strength in your soul and the love and
mercy that lets you forgive. The presence of the risen Jesus has a real impact in our life, it
comes with real consequences because Jesus is at work! Jesus is at work in our heart, he is at
work in our life.

Even when we open our heart to the risen Jesus, we will not be able to see all that Jesus does
for us! It is good that we are not able to see it all, for if we saw everything that Jesus does for
us, we could not handle it, as the love of God is infinite. If it were necessary, said Saint Theresa
of Avila, that we felt in our body in this life all of God’s love, all of the life of the resurrected
one, then we could not handle it. It would kill us!

But we will see him in heaven, when we will have all eternity for the experience, when we will
be ready to see him face to face and when we will finally live by his side. But already in this life,
we can already see the effects of God’s presence in our heart, in our life. For example, we can
discover his presence in the events taking place around us.

Going through this pandemic that affects all of us together, seeing examples of solidarity
each day, seeing persons who give generously, we see a sign that God is at work, that Jesus
is present at the heart of the world. God is at work when he acts directly in events. God is at
work when he acts directly in our hearts. God is at work when he works through us. God is at
work when he acts through the generosity of people.

(cont’d)

Collection of texts by the Most Rev. Christian Lépine 128