Word to the Wise
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
[Acts 2:36-41 and John 20:11-18]Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brothers and tell then, '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.
The characteristic dramatic way of the Gospel of John continues in the scene with Mary Magdalen and Jesus outside the tomb in the garden. John reshapes the tradition. The angels are there but they do not announce that Christ is risen. They ask the ironic question, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She doesn't "get it" - Jesus is not dead anymore so there's no reason to weep! But Jesus can speak for himself and does! He is no ghost. Otherwise Mary Magdalen couldn't try to hold on to him! Although there is some mystery to the expression, "Stop holding on to me...." one prominent tradition that is consistent with the gospel states that Jesus is determined to be faithful to his mission to return to the Father and Mary cannot keep him the way she remembered him. It is far more important that she go and tell the disciples what she has "seen." Remember, in the Gospel of John, "seeing is believing!" The prologue to the gospel states that to those who do believe, Jesus gives the power to be children of God. Thus Jesus speaks of "my Father and YOUR Father, my God and YOUR God." Thus Mary is to announce the completion of the mission of Jesus! She becomes the first preacher! (For that reason, she is especially venerated in the Order of Preachers - Dominicans!) It is in the power of the Resurrection faith that we are children of God. Jesus continues to call us even if we doubt, like Thomas, or deny him, like Peter! It is in the power of that same faith that we are all to proclaim what we have seen and heard, like Mary Magdalen! Good drama invites us to identify with all the characters! Christ is risen! We are children of God! Pass the word! AMEN
config
view
logs
3840.0 KB
102 ms
4
