There is some confusion among the Gospels and Paul's letters about the exact order of the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection. So in the next few weeks we will be moving around in the Scriptures to cover these stories. Evidently after appearing to the women at the tomb, Jesus next appeared to Peter (see Luke 24:34 and 1 Cor 15:5). The Scriptures don't tell us what Jesus and Peter talked about on that first meeting. Perhaps Peter never told anyone. I suspect they had a little conversation about Peter's actions during Jesus' trial and crucifixion. Peter had denied three times even knowing Jesus - as Jesus had predicted. And Peter was evidently not there when Jesus died. Regret and forgiveness must have been on Peter's mind. Maybe Jesus asked Peter, "Why?" I've often thought of the differences and similarities between Peter and Judas. Both were close associates of Jesus. Both sinned against Jesus. Their sins were not too different from each other. But their actions after their sins were very different. Judas went to the Jewish authorities looking for forgiveness. Receiving none (he had not betrayed them after all), he despaired and killed himself. What if Judas had gone to Jesus for forgiveness? I believe Jesus would have forgiven him. Peter, no doubt, asked Jesus to forgive him. They must have cleared the air in that first private meeting. For reflection: For what do I need God's forgiveness? From whom else do I need to ask forgiveness? Let us pray. Father of Mercies, please bring to mind the actions for which I need to seek forgiveness. Help me to make amends.
0 Comments
"Do not be afraid." We hear that command several times in the resurrection and post-resurrection accounts. In Matthew's telling of the story of Jesus' resurrection(chapter 28), the angel says it to the women at the tomb. Jesus says it to the women again when he appears to them as they are on their way to tell the other disciples. It must be a fearsome thing to have an angel appear and speak to you and then, shortly after, Jesus appear (poof!) right in front of you when you know he died just a few days ago. Contrary to how the "undead" are portrayed on TV and in movies today, I don't think Jesus looked like a zombie or a vampire. The women recognized Jesus immediately, fell at his feet and worshiped him (verse 9). Perhaps they were afraid at these appearances, but perhaps they were afraid because of the Roman and Jewish authorities and what this might mean for Jesus' little band of followers. For reflection: Am I afraid to believe Jesus rose from the dead? Am I afraid of what believing in Jesus might mean in my life? Am I afraid to face Jesus? Let us pray. Jesus, risen Lord, I too am afraid. I am afraid . . . . In the resurrection and post-resurrection accounts it was important to name names because those were the people giving eyewitness testimony that Jesus had indeed risen and was alive. That someone who was publicly executed was now alive and visiting people was an incredible thing to try to believe. Even the disciples did not immediately believe Mary Magdalene's report that Jesus was alive. As Mark says, "She went and told those who had been mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it" (Mark 16:10-11). Luke (who has other women going to the tomb with Mary Magdalene) says, "They did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense" (Lk 24:11). There are two things in Christianity that are really hard to believe: Jesus is God and Jesus rose from the dead. The people who were there at the time initially did not believe either. Only after they saw for themselves did they come to believe that Jesus rose from the dead. For reflection: Do I believe that Jesus is God and he rose from the dead? If so, why? If not, why not? Let us pray. Jesus, reveal yourself to me today in a concrete way. I'm posting something different today. The YouTube video below is about Good Friday - but Sunday's Coming! I heard this used as the homily at a Good Friday service and thought it was worth sharing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YByT6wfdhJs Mary was a common name at the time of Jesus, as it is today. In the death and resurrection accounts we hear of several women named Mary. In Mark's Gospel, for instance, the women who are watching the crucifixion are identified as Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and Salome. There were also many other women followers watching (see Mark 15:40-41). Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses also watch to see where Jesus is laid to rest. In Matthew's account, the three women watching from a distance are identified as Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's son's (Mt 27:55-56). The same two women as in Mark watch to see where Jesus is entombed. Luke has an unidentified crowd of women (Lk 23:27, 49, 55-56) at the cross and tomb. John has a slightly different grouping. "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene" (John 19:25). John also relates to us the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, being given into John's care. John doesn't mention any women watching where Jesus' body is laid, but Mary Magdalene is the first to go to the tomb. If not for John's gospel, I would be asking myself, "Where's Jesus' mother?" Forget "Where's Waldo?", "Where's Mary?" In the movies of Jesus' life, we always see Mary somewhere in the crowd. She's watching the scourging; she is following along as Jesus carries the cross; she weeps at the foot of the cross as Jesus dies. Mary is always there somewhere. But was she? According to Matthew, Mark and Luke, it appears Mary was not there. For reflection: Set aside preconceived notions of what happened. Imagine that you are Mary. Would you follow along to the place of crucifixion and be there when your son dies? Could you handle that? Or would you be elsewhere, not able to face the execution of your son? Let us pray. Jesus, . . . |
AliceI started this website and blog on May 1, 2012. I am a Catholic who has been in ministry for many years. I first developed what I would call a close relationship with Jesus in the early 1970s. Ever since then I have been praying with people for healing and other needs. It is because I have seen so many of these prayers answered that I am so bold as to offer to pray for you individually through this website and phone line. Archives
July 2021
Categories
All
|