It is hard to escape the bleakness of Jesus' Passion. After all, here was the Son of God going through a mockery of a trial, a horrific torture, and a brutal death. It is enough to make even the most faithful wring their hands in despair. Things would truly be bleak, though, if the story ended there. Glory be to God that the story continues!
The story indeed continues in a marvelous way. After we read of Jesus' death and burial, we are then treated to the greatest news in the world: Christ is Resurrected!! It was a confusing message to those first disciples who arrived at the tomb. I am continually struck by the message of the angels to these women. The women are instructed to go tell Jesus' other disciples that Jesus is alive, and especially tell Peter the news. Why Peter? If you remember from previous chapters, all the disciples but Peter ran off right after Jesus was arrested--they abandoned him. Peter, though, took abaondonment one step further...he flat out denied ever knowing who Jesus was. I think that's why the resurrection is a special message to Peter. It was a way for Peter to know that his denial wasn't held agains him and that Jesus wasn't through with him!
The message to Peter is the message for us. Have you had a time when, through your words/actions or silence/inaction you denied knowing Jesus? I'm going to bet that most of us have. Jesus' message to you is that those moments are not held against you! Because of that, we can join in the chorus that proclaims Jesus Resurrection and his triumph over all the things of this world!
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