"Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive." - Lk. 24:22-23
I wonder if we've become desensitized to the Resurrection. The disciples on the road to Emmaus were astounded to hear that Jesus was no longer in the tomb. To be astounded requires a level of expectation. We expect a certain outcome and are astounded when the actual outcome is beyond what we thought possible. They expected Jesus to remain dead. They expected that nothing had really changed. They expected that the person they had come to know was special but couldn't really change reality. His rising from the dead then changed everything. It superseded their wildest expectations and in turn, empowered them to live in a new resurrected mindset.
How often have you and I allowed our expectations to limit what God can do? Do I refrain from engaging in a conversation about my relationship with Jesus because of an expectation that it wouldn't go well? Do I refrain from teaching the truths of the Catholic faith because I expect that it would get me sidelined? Do I approach prayer with the expectation that I'm simply giving my laundry list of petitions to God?
In a world where a man has resurrected from the dead, we are invited to live with a resurrected mindset. To view the world around us with a sense of awe in how our God can astound us in this situation. Let us no longer be desensitized to the astounding reality that Jesus has risen from the dead. May we look for ways that the resurrected one can exceed our expectations and truly astound us.
Where do I place limits on Jesus' ability to astound me in my life?
Jesus, help me to be astounded by Your resurrection.
Reflection by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did You Know...
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
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