Daily Gospel Reflection
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April 18, 2020
Now after Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
I imagine the days immediately following Jesus’ death to be strikingly similar to the recent days of this pandemic. Days clouded with darkness and uncertainty, full of suffering and sorrow. An unprecedented time where normalcy is completely uprooted and flipped on its head. People feeling lost, afraid, and alone.
My wife and I went for a walk last week and discovered a six-foot plush giraffe placed in the windowsill of a nearby home. We later found out that this was part of a neighborhood virtual safari, where residents were encouraged to place stuffed animals in their front windows as a fun activity for children and families to jot down what they see as they get some exercise outside.
Just like the disciples in their “stubbornness,” it could be easy to dismiss this as a sign of God’s presence, but I am holding onto this as a symbol of resurrection. A community came together to intentionally design an activity to bring joy to those in need. Whether or not we have always accepted it, God has revealed himself in so many ways during this crisis. From the heroic actions of our healthcare providers to smaller moments of grace, like connecting with colleagues or loved ones on a Zoom call, we look to the positive aspects of this time to remember that we are not abandoned by God.
While accepting God’s revelation is one part of this passage, the more difficult part is the call to action. I pray for each of us to put that giant giraffe in the window and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Prayer
God of all wisdom and grace, you fill us with unwavering zeal to proclaim the truth of our faith wherever your Spirit leads us. Give us courage and determination to live out our faith even amid this harsh and challenging world. May our lives reflect your radiance as you lead us into your promise of everlasting life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Marie was a French mother and wife who achieved sainthood in her heroic efforts to support and protect the faith among her family and fellow citizens.
She was born to the family of a high government official in Paris in 1566. Her aunt was head of a convent, and that’s where Marie received her education. She impressed the nuns at the convent, and would have joined them, except her parents wanted her to marry. She was their only surviving child.
She obeyed, and at 17 was married to Peter Acarie, an aristocratic lawyer who held an important position in the national treasury. Peter used his position to help Catholics who were fleeing England because of Protestant oppression.
Peter and Marie bore six children—three girls and three boys. All three girls entered a convent, in time, and one of the boys became a priest. All retained the piety and devotion they learned from their mother.
Peter was a strong supporter of a Catholic political party in France that opposed Protestant factions. When the political climate suddenly changed, Peter was on the wrong side of the new king, who exiled the family and confiscated his property. The family was reduced to poverty and nearly starved.
Marie took on the family’s cause and represented her husband before the court. She was able to prove his innocence, and he was granted permission to return to Paris. Their fortune had diminished, but she had won back his good name.
Marie was known for her charity, and many wealthy patrons—including Mary of Medici and other royalty—entrusted their almsgiving to her. She fed the hungry, assisted the elderly and forgotten, and helped the dying.
Marie was a mystic, even in the midst of her busy life, and she received two visions from St. Teresa of Avila, the nun who reformed the Carmelite order in Spain. The visions encouraged Marie to use her position to introduce these reformed Carmelites into France, which she did. Several convents were established, and Marie herself helped train young women for life as Carmelite sisters, even though she was a married laywoman.
When Peter died in 1613, Marie joined the Carmelite nuns for the last four years of her life. She took the name Mary of the Incarnation and joined a convent she helped to found, which was led by her daughter. Marie promised her daughter obedience and took on a role helping to wash dishes. She died of natural causes on Easter Sunday in 1618, and she is depicted in this stained glass window from the Basilica. She carries the banner of the Carmelites reformed by Teresa of Avila, and is also shown receiving a vision from Teresa.
St. Marie Acarie, you attained holiness as a busy wife and mother, pray for us!