Impossible To Be Held Back

Impossible To Be Held Back

April 5

Readings – Acts 2:14, 22-33; Mt 28:8-15

OK, OK, I know that Easter was yesterday and that the blog was supposed to end.  But two things.  First, I will really miss writing a daily blog and secondly, Easter Monday is a thing.

Growing up Catholic (and in a strong ethnic French-Canadian church), we celebrated Easter Monday as a part of the Easter experience, and in many countries it is actually a holiday.  So here’s one last reflection as part of the Easter season.

In the reading from Acts, Peter reflects that Jesus was not stopped by death “because it was impossible for him to be held by it.”  And in the gospel, the disciples meet Jesus “on their way” as the religious leaders try to figure out how to explain what happened to Jesus.

These are such powerful readings for me.

Just as it was impossible for Jesus to be held by death, there is, ultimately, nothing that can hold us either.  Nothing.  The amazing news of the resurrection is that there is a primal force in the universe that cannot be stopped.  It moves towards freedom.  It moves towards liberation.  It moves towards rebirth and renewal, and we inherit this tradition.  Martin Luther King captured this sentiment when he said that the “moral arc of the universe is long but it bends towards justice.”

It may be hard to believe when we are in the midst of things, but we are being held by a force that cannot be stopped.  This does not mean that things will always turn out as we wish.  But we are held and accompanied.

And in the gospel, I love that Jesus meets the disciples on their way.  Isn’t that the case for us?  We’re going about life as we know it and Jesus meets us along the way.  We don’t need to go anywhere or do anything special.  We just need to go about our daily routine and the risen Jesus will meet us there.

And he tells us not to be afraid.

One of the primary messages of the resurrection is that we no longer have to be afraid – of anything – because we are held by the same God that held Jesus.  And this God will be with us, meet us along our way and be with us no matter what we go through.  Period.

As we move forward as Easter people, let’s go forth with a knowledge that Jesus will meet us as we move through our lives and will be with us no matter what.  Nothing we face will, ultimately, prevail against us.  This knowledge then gives us the courage (heart) to move forth into the world to do the same for others.

We are met along the way.  We are held.  We are free.

Amen.

36 Comments

    Sarah Brownell

    Amen! Thank you so much for sharing your reflections. I’ll miss the thought proving morning discussion. Happy Easter! Hope to see you in church soon!

    Anne Buonocore schrader

    I’m going to say thank you again from the bottom of my heart. Your thoughts mean so much.

    Karen

    Mike- what a beautiful send-off message to carry us through this Easter season and Spring and beyond. I purposely looked to see if your blog would continue today, as it’s something I’ve enjoyed- as have many others. Glad you decided to write us one last time – and as always, with an uplifting, profound message. Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us. We are all the better for it. God bless.

      Mike Boucher Author

      Blessings on the journey, Karen! I am glad today’s blog came as a surprise. Keep a lookout in the future, because today’s won’t be the last!

    Maureen

    I was so grateful to wake up to bonus inspiration today. Thank you, Mike, for the reminder to not be afraid

      Mike Boucher Author

      thanks, Maureen. And thank you for being such an active participant! I appreciate you.

    Kathryn Franz

    Amen!!!
    Thank you, again, for your meditations during this Lent/Easter season. Your reflections are a great comfort and give a simple clear direction that connects with me and so many others!!!
    Peace and Blessings!

      Mike Boucher Author

      Kathryn, thanks. So glad you were with us on the blog-journey!

    Alan Monahan

    Thank you very much for your Lenten blogs. It helped me learn and grow. You are a wonderful gift to our Spiritus community.Is it possible to publish the blogs so they are not lost or forgotten? Happy Easter Monday!

      Mike Boucher Author

      Thanks, Alan, I appreciate your words and having you along for the journey! Taking the idea of compiling the blogs to heart.

    Pat Hart

    Thank you Mike for your daily wise, comforting, thought provoking words. I was out in Arizona for a month but read your daily blog. It kept me centered and complimented the beauty of God’s creation that surrounded me. Bless you and see you soon back at SC!,,

      Mike Boucher Author

      thanks for writing, Pat! Next time if you go to AZ, I may need to tag along to do some ‘field work’ and theological reflection – especially if it is during the winter months. Looking forward to having you back in the ROC.

    richard kaza

    namaste habibi
    thanks so much for sharing your wisdom
    the “fear thing” is a lesson i need to remember on a daily basis
    it is without the fear of disappointment that i ask you to please consider writing a daily reflection
    (see what i did there with the “fear thing” its obviously already working )
    if this is your final writing ( for a while,) peace be with you
    for me, i will be sad today
    losing a wonderful teacher is always sad

      Judene

      I agree 100% with what Richard Kaza wrote above, Mike! There are no words to express my gratitude for all the thoughtful and thought-provoking inspiration you’ve given all of us during this Lenten season. I sincerely hope that we will all hear more from you again soon. You are truly gifted, and our Spiritus family is so incredibly fortunate to have you among our teachers.

        Mike Boucher Author

        thank you, Judene! It’s been a blessing and pleasure to write. I will miss doing this but promise to keep writing occasionally for sure.

      Mike Boucher Author

      thanks for writing, Richard. i appreciate the encouragement to write daily…while i won’t be able to do that in the near future, i will keep on writing and will try to get others to join me in this endeavor!

    Barbara Simmons

    It was a treat to wake up today to another blog post by you, Mike. Of all the messages you have shared with us, this one may be the most powerful proclamation…we are met along the way…we are held…we are free…

    Peace and blessings.

      Mike Boucher Author

      I’m going to miss talking to you every day, Barb! Thanks for being such an active ‘reflector’ along the way.

    Nicolette Leathersich

    A heartfelt thank you Mike. Your messages gave me a wonderful depth to my Lenten journey.

    Mary Alice Moore

    I am very sorry to see the blog end! Thanks so much for sharing Mike! Look forward to future blogs. Your writings are so thought provoking and a wonderful way to start the day.

      Mike Boucher Author

      thanks for the kind words, Mary Alice. I, too, am sorry to see them end. With you all in spirit…and I think I’ll keep writing occasionally…

    Chris Adams

    I love that reflection. We are met on our way. It reminds me of Mt 25:31-46….”Lord, when did we see you…..and not help?” We see God every day, no matter what we do. Our response is what matters.

      Mike Boucher Author

      yes, Chris! We do see God every day. Thank you for that reminder and the reminder about our response.

    Sue Spoonhower

    Amen! And thank you; your words remind me that I don’t ever have to fear the unknown.

      Mike Boucher Author

      thanks, Sue. I have appreciated your words and reflections along the way!

    Francene C McCarthy

    Merci! We are met along the way, we are HELD, we are free. I love that! Merci beaucoup for a fabulous lent! Easter Monday Blessings!

    Anne Fields

    Mike, thank you for the nourishing reflections and lessons during Lent. So many of us have benefitted from your interpretations. We are blessed to have you at Spiritus and I do hope we hear more from you.
    Anne Fields

      Mike Boucher Author

      thanks so much, Anne. It’s a true blessing and pleasure to be with you all in this way!

    Jeanne Siconolfi Utter

    I was so delighted to see one last blog. I looked forward to these every morning and it became apart of my morning quiet time. This last one in particular spoke to me. As I work on my spiritual connection my belief is that God, Jesus is my guide my friend who will always be there no matter what the world dishes out to me. Really for me 2018-19 were personally very rough years filled with changes and grief, and nothing I had any control over and through it all I found/developed the idea of God meeting me where I was and guiding me and most of all taking my ego out of it so I could be of service to those who were suffering too. Honestly 2020 slowed me down and was filled with many blessings. It provided much healing and like Jesus the love couldn’t be held back.

    Thank you so much!

    Claire Benesch

    I actually missed this yesterday since I wasn’t looking for it (makes me wonder how many things I miss because I don’t look for them)! Anyway it is an added gift since I have come to depend on these reflections during Lent. God bless you for all your efforts in providing these gifts to us each day! You are truly an Easter person and I appreciate you!

    Dawn

    Thanks Mike for your thoughts through this Lenten season. They have given me hope and things to ponder. So appreciate all the time and effort you put into this.

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