March 29, 2016

Jn 20: 11-18

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Joy and Hope

We are a resurrection people. We know the joy and the hope of Jesus' resurrection that we celebrate in this Easter season. Today's gospel gives us a glimpse into the first taste of that hope, in Jesus’ apparition to Mary Magdalene. Mary received one of the greatest gifts, and then was charged to go out and share it. We too have received this gift. And, just like Mary Magdalene, we are also called to go out and share the “good news.” We are invited to experience this immense joy and hope that Mary felt. We have gone through the depths of darkness in Christ's passion, and are now invited to experience Christ’s great joy and hope. What are the signs of resurrection in my life today? How can I share this joy and hope for those who do not recognize it yet? —Marcos Gonzales, a Jesuit scholastic of the California province, is completing his masters of social work at Loyola University Chicago and interning with the Cook County Juvenile Probation Department.

Prayer

Go to the world. Go into every place. Go live the Word of God’s redeeming grace. Go seek God’s presence in each time and space. —Sylvia Dunstan © 1991, GIA Publications, Inc.
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