Reflection
As we celebrate our Easter JOY, our Gospel continues the Resurrection account from the Gospel of John that was proclaimed on Easter Sunday. In Sunday’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed. She immediately runs to tell Peter and John. Upon hearing this news, Peter and John raced to and entered the tomb. When they enter the tomb, they see the burial linens lying there, and the cloth that covered Jesus’ head was in a separate place. This placement of the linens led the disciples to believe that Jesus’ body had not been stolen. Not fully understanding, the disciples then returned to their home.
Today, our story begins with Mary again arriving at the tomb. She arrived after Peter and John returned home. Mary remains weeping outside the tomb and then peeks inside. To her great surprise she is greeted by two angels who ask her why she is weeping. Pleading for the return of Jesus’ body she asks if they know where He is. At that moment Jesus asks her “Whom are you looking for?” When she turns around Jesus speaks her name, “Mary!” She immediately recognizes her teacher and savior and proclaims, “Rabbouni!” Mary is first to see our Risen Lord. Mary quickly runs to share this Good News with the disciples.
This tremendous JOY of seeing Jesus alive again was overshadowed for me when I read the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. These words stuck in my heart today, “Peter said to the Jewish people, “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart…”
Imagine how Jesus’ followers felt upon hearing of His resurrection. These people who hung on Jesus’ every word, who pitched tents to follow Him so as not to miss a word Jesus said. These same people who hailed Him as King when He entered Jerusalem and who five short days later shouted for His crucifixion. Imagine their sorrow and shame as Peter proclaims that Jesus is both Lord and Christ.
These followers knew this truth and yet they let the crowd sway them. They gave in to fear and lies. They turned their backs on the One whom they loved. The One who healed them, loved them, encouraged them, forgave them and redeemed them. Their grief cut to the depths of their hearts and souls. I imagine we have all felt this way when we have turned our backs on our Lord. How easily we can be influenced by the evil that surrounds us.
But St. Peter gives the people HOPE. He calls them to repentance and the sacrament of Baptism. He tells the crowd, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Our Lord is a Savior, a Redeemer. Jesus died for the forgiveness of your sins. Do not wallow in your sin and grief but rather put on Christ! And on that day 3,000 followers were baptized!
As we celebrate the JOY of Christ’s Resurrection we too are reminded to save ourselves from this corrupt generation! It is easy to become lukewarm when we are surrounded by sin and immoral choices. However, Jesus is here to save us. The first person to see our Risen Lord, is a repentant sinner, Mary Magdalene. She had risen from the grave of sin to the newness of life in God. She understood the triumph over sin. Let us be like Mary and embrace the triumph and redemption Jesus offers each one of us. Alleluia!