Easter Reflections: Following the Risen Christ

By Resti Ma. M. Bautista

The School of the Word at Opus concluded its Easter reflection series with hearts renewed by encounters with the Risen Lord and the discovery of our own Easter stories. In prayer, we gathered the fruits of the Resurrection, recognizing how Christ continues to bring healing, new life, and transformation into our lives.
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We began with the tears of Mary Magdalene in the silence of the empty tomb and walked with the desolate disciples on the road to Emmaus. Throughout Easter, we were reminded that the Risen Christ always comes near. Even when we remain in the darkness of Gethsemane or the sorrow of Good Friday, Jesus draws close. He enters through locked doors, meets our doubts like Thomas, and embraces our weakness like Peter.

Filipe encouraged the group to recognize the Risen Lord in daily life: in Scripture, in the Eucharist, and in community. With burning hearts, we prayed, “𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘴,” as we continued to contemplate the mystery of the Resurrection.

“The Risen Lord meets us where we are, gathers us as a community, and brings our Easter stories to life,” shared Gerard. “𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶.” Jesus reveals Himself among believers, in the communion of those who encounter and follow Him. Gerard asked, “Like Thomas, do we miss the opportunity to encounter Jesus through the lives and witness of others?” Jesus is not stopped by closed doors or unbelief. He returns for the struggling disciple and invites us to total transformation: from doubt to faith, from resistance to surrender, from skepticism to trust.

Jesus gives us this final beatitude: “𝘉𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦o.” (John 20:29) May we be among those who believe without seeing, grounded in a true encounter with the Risen Christ.

For the last three Fridays, we prayed along the shores of our own Galilee—where we first encountered Jesus personally and profoundly—and realized we are no longer the same. Chris encouraged us: “May we continue listening closely to the Risen Christ, who calls us to new life and urges us to remain faithful until we bear fruit.”

Mel reflected: “In our struggles of faith, the Risen Christ comes to meet us in our weakness. Jesus is merciful without arrogance. He accepts our sincere and imperfect love.” Jesus invites us: “𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘱.” (John 21:17) Teach us, Lord, to love in deed and truth (cf. 1 John 3:18). 

“𝘎𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.” Jesus, King of Kings, King of Nations and King of the Universe, not only comforts—He sends. To “go” means moving beyond fear, comfort, and private faith. In Verbum Dei, this “go” is not only geographical; it is availability. It is allowing the Word to move us so deeply that we cannot remain the same. Missionary availability is both an attitude and a way of life. Our founder, Jaime Bonet, points us to Mother Mary’s perfect fiat as the model of total surrender.

Making disciples is not only about extraordinary missionary work. Mission begins in family life, friendships, workplaces, and daily choices. We make disciples by reflecting Christ through kindness, patience, forgiveness, integrity, and faithfulness. Sometimes mission is not “Go far,” but “Go deeply.”

Melissa and George exhorted: “Our Easter stories are not meant to remain behind closed doors or be lived alone. We are sent to become part of someone else’s Easter story.” Grateful for the stories already written and those still to come, we continue to pray as one community of brothers and sisters for a daily encounter with the Living Word.

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The School of the Word - Opus gathers every Friday, 7:30PM to 9:00PM at the Chapel of the Archangels, 6F Opus, Bridgetowne Destination Estate, Quezon City.  Taste and see!