An invitation to take this week,
the Easter Octave,
as an opportunity to experience
the risen Jesus with you
in every hour..

‘What must we do?’ ‘
You must repent,’ Peter answered

Now there’s a word that has dropped from common usage.

We used to hear the word must often, as children, at school, and in institutions. Of course that’s still the case with children: you must go to bed, you must eat these greens, you must be home before…”

When we’re teenagers the list of musts seems endless and even (the connection feels appropriate) musty – definition: having a stale, moldy or damp smell, lacking originality or vitality.

So we discard the musts and move on, the musts become a new form of compulsion: I must be free.

At this stage of life many people abandon the musts that others impose. Then we realise that we are left with a chaos which is exhausting, a desert of anything-goes boundary-less musts: I must have fun, I must make money, I must fit in with the crowd, I must follow the fashions.

This is where we meet Peter in today’s first reading, not demanding behaviours and imposing rules but clearly stating clearly that those who want to experience the new life of resurrection Christ offers simply MUST repent – ie turn around, experience metanoia (μετάνοια) meaning changing one’s mind.

This willingness to change comes to mind when I remember Pope Francis, the successor of Peter, and give thanks for his life and his mission: a depth of relationship with Jesus which made him fearless when promoting necessary change.

And it is significant that Francis has died in this Easter Octave when we are united with Peter and his friends in the days following the resurrection, the change, the metanoia required in Peter and the other disciples as they experience the risen Jesus who brings them true freedom and abundant life.

Freedom from fear.

Yes!

That’s exactly what Peter is talking about

In my Lectionary the brief intro to today’s gospel reading reminds us of the HOW. How to move from external obligation to internal conviction – how to move from good religious practice to adult and mature faith. Mary Magdalen returns from the tomb and meets Jesus’ disciples reporting: I have seen the Lord and he has spoken to me’

There’s a personal encounter we might be able to survive or exist without, but without the experience, personal and real, Jesus risen and present, we will never feel as thought we are living.

That’s my aim with the second edition of Fifth Gospel Living inviting you to share a way in which you have seen the Lord, and telling of how he has spoken to you.

I look forward to hearing from you. Details in the image below.

Set five minutes
twice a day each day of this week,
the Easter Octave.
Diary these appointments with Jesus
and make these encounters
your priority this Easter Week.