Understanding Our Friend

   

The Resurrection of the Lord

09 April 2023

 

First Reading: Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Second Reading: Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8

Gospel: Jn 20:1-9

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. (Jn 20:9).

Sometimes, it’s much easier to love a friend than to understand them. Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John all love their friend Jesus. Mary’s love stands out; she was there at the Cross on Good Friday. Three days later, she came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark (Jn 20:1). However, their reaction when Jesus was nowhere to be found, showed their lack of understanding of Scripture. And if we think of the Scripture as pointing out to and finding its fulfilment in Jesus, then His friends lacked an understanding of Jesus Himself.

St. Bede once said, “Our Saviour revealed the glory of His resurrection to His disciples gradually and over time, also because it was such a great miracle that the weak hearts of mortals could not comprehend it all at once.” If we continue reading chapter 20 of this Gospel, Jesus revealed Himself to Mary Magdalene and commissioned her: Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. (Jn 20:17). Having gained an understanding of this great mystery, Mary went to the apostles and relayed to them what Christ told her. Mary became apostola apostolorum (apostle to the apostles).

We too can be like the disciples who, at first, were unable to understand the Resurrection. Let’s allow the Risen Jesus to pour on us the Holy Spirit, so that like Peter, in today’s first reading, we can also boldly proclaim to the world: We are witnesses of all that Jesus did. (cf. Acts 10:39).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Thank You for rising from the dead as You have promised. Send forth Your Spirit among us that we may gain a better understanding of and become courageous witnesses of Your Resurrection. Amen.