Forty days after the resurrection

The essence of the lecture focuses on the holiness of the forty-day period after the Resurrection and the particularity of Christian joy in it.
The speaker explains that there is a time for sorrow and a time for joy, and both are holy if they are for the Lord.
He mentions Christ’s multiple appearances after the Resurrection (to the women, to the disciples, to Emmaus, to Peter, to Thomas, to Paul, and to more than five hundred) as evidence of the fulfillment of the promise and the removal of doubts.
He affirms that Christ progressed in His appearances to weak hearts to kindle faith and transform it from simple love into firm faith.
The lecturer highlights that Christ entrusted the disciples with teaching and authority (such as confession and the sacraments) during these days to prepare them as leaders of the Church.
He explains that some truths and ministries were handed down to the Church by tradition from the apostles, because the Gospel provides the general foundation but the practical care was conveyed to the leading disciples.
He calls for a continual spiritual joy “Rejoice in the Lord always,” not merely a bodily joy, but a joy in the presence of the Lord and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
He concludes by affirming Christ’s continual presence with us — present on earth by His Spirit and in the sacraments, and promising to return and take us with Him to where He is.

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