In today’s first reading we are given the results of Saint Peter’s first stab at preaching the good news that Jesus is risen, but that his fellow countrymen were culpable for his death. Following his sermon, Peter’s hearers,
“…were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Acts 2:37.
Their reaction shows belief and regret—belief concerning who Jesus actually was and that he was indeed risen, and regret that they were only now seeing it clearly. This is truly ironic, given that Saint Peter himself, along with the other apostles initially rejected Saint Mary Magdalene’s report concerning the resurrection of Jesus. Mysterious indeed are God’s ways, but oh so beautiful.
At the conclusion of today’s gospel which describes that beautiful encounter of Saint Mary Magdalene with the risen Lord, we have that very instruction that was given to her by the Lord which she joyfully fulfilled.
“But go to my brothers and tell them,
‘I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.’”
Mary went and announced to the disciples,
“I have seen the Lord,”
and then reported what he had told her” John 20:17.
We too have been lovingly invited and honoured by Jesus to share this message of hope with others; that Jesus is not only alive, but that he has once again gloriously been reunited to the Father and that he has promised his followers that the same Father and God he returned to, is the same Father and God who loves us also so much and wants us to be with him forever. While we’re at it, we can also get into how Jesus himself is God: “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God. One in being with the Father. Begotten not made, Etc.” – Nicene Creed.
Notice how our good and tender Lord is always trying to reassure us with words of mercy that instill hope and encouragement within us. That is, the God who created all things, who is beyond anything we can ever imagine, who needs nothing and no one, is YOUR Father, and my Father, YOUR God and my God. There’s no need to fight for belongingness here, because Jesus is telling us we have already been brought into the heart of the Father and our place there has already been secured by Jesus. We belong to God and He to us. Like lovers who give themselves to one another, so too the soul with its Creator and Father. When Jesus is reminding us of our filial relationship with God he is speaking directly to our sense of belonging. In belonging to God, we belong to him who is Love. It’s become more and more of a common fad for young people for example, to take off throughout Europe on trips they allege are meant to help them “find themselves and where they belong.” May they find Him unexpectedly, just like Mary Magdalene... He hides Himself because He is a gentle voice who doesn’t force anyone to follow Him, he waits for us to recognize Him. (1) Jesus is telling us all we have to do is realize that we have a Father in heaven who is ours, and we are his treasured children. This restlessness in our hearts will cease if we but realized and lived our filial relationship with the Father which was established for us in a new and marvelous way by Christ. How very multi-faceted, like a most brilliant diamond, is the grace of the Incarnation then to humanity? That Christ assuming a human nature so as to incorporate us into his loving relationship with the Father, is just one of its shining aspects.
Another thing to notice about the instruction Jesus gives Mary Magdalene is his humility. “Go and tell MY BROTHERS.” The soul asks: Your who, Lord? You, the God who created all things in their vastness and in their unfathomable splendour? You who have no beginning or end, the Alpha and the Omega? “Brothers?” We who are nothing in comparison you are putting us on par with yourself calling us your brothers, your children, your followers instead of mere mortals whose life is but a breath? Our Lord delights in heaping on us an abundance of privileges in his generosity and humility as Almighty God.
Our Lord calls us by name, just as he called Mary by name in this gospel and it was only then that she recognized the Lord. This is a common theme in post-resurrection biblical narrative. Jesus is not immediately recognized. Now we will be required to recognize him under different forms, like; our neighbour, the consecrated Host, through his holy Word, etc. And so he calls us by name, we who are his sheep.
“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out…and the sheep follow him because they know his voice…I know my own, and my own know me…” John 10:3-4,15.
Tomorrow this humility will once again be on display in Jesus’ incognito appearance to the disciples on their way to Emmaus, yet another instance of not recognizing him immediately. Until then, may the risen Lord, the humble Lamb of God, continue to bless you and your loved ones abundantly. Halleluiah, halleluiah, halleluiah! He is risen!
(1) Simona Gelao
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“It’s become more and more of a common fad for young people for example, to take off throughout Europe on trips they allege are meant to help them “find themselves and where they belong.”… May they find Him unexpectedly, just like Mary Magdalene. I was one of them and He was walking with me the whole time, it took me a long time to recognize Him. So true, He hides Himself because He is a gentle voice who doesn’t force anyone to follow Him, he waits for us to recognize Him 🥹
So true Simona, we can never limit God's grace. Thanks for the wonderful reminder. +