Reflection by Sister Jean Anne Zappa, OSU, for the funeral Mass of Sister Loretta Guenther, OSU on October 17, 2024.
Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9

The readings today, chosen by Sister Loretta, are for Easter Sunday, Cycle A. Sister Loretta is saying to us, “I believe in the Resurrection; I believe that Christ is present here today.”

In the Acts of the Apostles, we are reminded that we are the witnesses of Jesus’s life; we are commissioned to preach the good news. We are to proclaim that Jesus is alive and, in our midst, not just by words, but also by our lives.

The Gospel of John describes Mary Magdalene’s discovery of Jesus’s empty tomb and her first response of confusion and grief. Then it highlights the importance of faith and hope even in the face of uncertainty and loss, and finally, this passage emphasizes the significance of personal encounters with Jesus, which can bring comfort and renewed hope.

Sister Loretta believed that with all her heart. Her commitment to Jesus and her Ursuline vowed life reflected how she believed that Jesus is present in everything she did. As we are nurtured by the love of Christ, Sister Loretta nurtured many people physically by being a cook at various convents, and we all know of her great love and commitment in how she nurtured the children at Saint Joseph’s Home for 36 years.

When they dedicated the chapel in her name at St. Joseph Home, they placed a plaque there with her quote: “It’s the simplicity, the- love the children have that makes them so special. I was so blessed to be at St. Joseph because I know children are close to God.” She embraced the resurrected Christ, for she saw the living Christ alive in all she encountered. She understood what was said in Acts: that we are called to be witnesses of the good news that Christ is alive in our midst to all, especially the most vulnerable. And she did that so well through her kindness, gentleness, compassion, and always her loving smile.

Some view Resurrection as resuscitation—Jesus came back to his good old self. However, when Jesus rose, he rose a people; he rose us to live and love like he did, to make his presence and love known by how we live and love and treat others.

Resurrection is not something we celebrate as a past event; rather, it propels us forward into a future that is mystery and calls us to witness that Jesus is in our midst. Jesus’s life and love are in our hearts, and we are called to make that a reality by our daily encounters with each other. We are filled with the living, loving Christ who gives us the capacity and responsibility to share that love.

Resurrection is not only about one person, Jesus, but it is also Jesus who overcomes sin and death; it’s Jesus who frees us to love; it’s Jesus who encourages us to have an encounter with each other just as he had an encounter with Mary Magdalene in the Gospel.

Saint Teresa of Jesus, known as Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church, said, “The important thing is not to think too much but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love.” Loretta chose to love by embracing Jesus’s life-giving love. She took the presence of Christ in her heart and made it visible by her 72 years of religious life in service to others, especially the children at Saint Joe’s Home. She witnessed the true meaning of Resurrection.

At the Easter Vigil, there is a translation of the Exsultet: “The light of Christ surrounds us, the love of Christ enfolds us, the power of Christ protects us, the presence of Christ watches over us.” Sister Loretta believed this, lived this, and witnessed this. With God’s grace and her inspiration, may we do the same.