Christian faith, in its beginnings, as we have just seen in the Easter Scriptures, was not ever meant to be a private affair. Jesus, just risen, appeared to Mary Magdalen in the garden and after calling her by name said, “Do not cling to me, but go and tell my brothers [and sisters] . . . !” Similarly, after the Transfiguration we see Jesus correcting Peter whose instinct was to stay there in that holy place and erect three tents. Jesus message again was “Go!” as he led the three disciples back down the mountain to reconnect with the real life of the community. God’s Word is to be made known, proclaimed, spread. It is not to be guarded as a private treasure by a small “in-group.”

I was delighted to learn in Rowan Williams’ Silence and Honey Cakes: Desert Wisdom that even the early desert monastics, who seemed to isolate themselves from humanity, write that it is impossible to think about the spiritual life other than as living it in the Body of the Church, in concrete community. Antony the Great writes, “Our life and our death is with our neighbor. If we win our neighbor we win God. If we cause our neighbor to stumble, we have sinned against Christ.” (Antony 9, Life of Antony 67, by St. Athanasius)

The truth of this call resonates throughout the Gospels. People whose lives are touched by Jesus go and bring their friends and neighbors to him, even when Jesus asks them not to tell anyone. Once his mission has reached fulfillment through his dying and rising for us, his message is “Go, now, and tell the others . . . do not cling to me!” These are his words to his companions, to those who knew him best and loved him most. This Good News is for everyone and is meant to be shared by those who hear it with those who haven’t yet, especially people in the darkness of despair, alienation and selfishness.

A most powerful image of the Christian vocation is in the Easter Vigil ritual, the Service of Light. The paschal candle, symbolizing the risen Christ, is lit from the new fire outside or at the rear of the darkened church. Slowly it proceeds up the center aisle as the people respond to the celebrant’s invocation, “Light of Christ,” with our “Thanks be to God!” Once at the front, from its single flame, other candles are lighted, one-by-one, neighbor connecting to neighbor spreading the light, and gradually the darkened church is illuminated by the many lights held by each and all in the body, until the darkness has become light and the “Exultet” is sung.

Good News! We have all been reconciled with God through the self-giving love of Jesus, now risen from the dead. Spread the word, just as we have spread the light from that one source! Become one Body, the household of God, connecting with each other, caring for one another. Keep it going. All are welcome.

As the Church began in the garden, so it continues – publicly - in our parishes and our relationships today.

- Paula Toner, RSCJ