Our spirituality is an Easter spirituality! It
is marked by joy and optimism permeated by the peace of the Risen Lord.
It was Easter Sunday, 12th April of 1846 when Don
Bosco moved with his young people to the Pinardi shed. This was to be their
permanent home after five years of
wandering from one place to another.
For Don Bosco this was a
truly Easter experience; only the week before he was desperate;
- < I said nothing at
all, but everybody knew how troubled and worried I was… I withdrew to one side,
and as I walked alone I began to cry, perhaps for the first time. As I walked I
looked up to heaven and cried out, "My God, why don't you show me where
you want me to gather these children? Oh, let me know! Oh, show me what I must
do!" >
When all seemed hopeless,
God provided, and by the following Sunday, which was Easter, they were settled
in their new place. It was fitting therefore for Don Bosco to be canonized on
Easter Sunday 1934.
Our reflections this
month help us to enter more fully into this Easter spirit of joy in action. Mary Magdalene highlights the feminine role in
proclaiming the Easter joy, a joy reflected in that of Mary Mazzarello in Mornese.
CONFORT 
The Resurrection stories of these Easter
days come from the early communities that are proclaiming the Good News with
joy and thanks. They have had this intimate transforming encounter with the Lord whose tomb is empty
as is every tomb who tries to claim us in death because love is stronger than
death. The tomb henceforth becomes the
womb of new and eternal life
This awareness and understanding for them
as for us gradually unfolds. The cloud
of unknowing is slowly and patiently lifted and stranger is recognized as
friend.In this context he reveals
himself in word and gesture. Familiarity occurs as bread is broken, names are called in love, empty tombs are searched, burning hearts are
felt, nets are cast again, lakeside
breakfast served, peace breath is felt
and wounds are touched. All is the same yet everything is totally changed. His
appearances empowered and transformed them. As Easter people they understood
themselves and embraced their birthright and new identity as Children of the
Living God, free to be witnesses and proclaimers of Gods life-giving love for
all.
These Easter days are our Emmaus journey.
Just as we grapple with the reality of death we also struggle with the mystery
and reality of life after death.
