Love
Calls Us Back to the Place Where We Belong
March 27, 2005
Easter Sunday
Father Ned Brown, LC
John 20:1-9
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early
in the morning while it was still dark, and saw that the stone
removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the
other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have
taken the Lord from the tomb, and we dont know where they put
him. So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the
tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter,
and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down to look in and saw the
burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived
after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head, not lying with the burial
cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple,
who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he had to
rise from the dead.
Introductory Prayer:Lord, amid the trials and
difficulties of life I sometimes fail to see your saving presence
and providential plan of salvation. Grant me faith, Lord, in
exactly those moments, so my hope in you will not falter. Lead me
to a deeper experience of faith and a deeper commitment to your
love.
Petition:In experiencing the power and glory of
your resurrection, Lord, grant me deeper faith, trust and loyalty
to your divine love.
1. Always Darkest Before the Dawn.Mary was seeking
Jesus in the tomb. Because she didnt find him, she erroneously
concluded his body had been stolen. Let us contemplate her darkness
in not finding him so as to appreciate her later joy in the
Resurrection. What are my own reactions to events that disappoint
or discourage me? Do I jump to conclusions? How much time passes
before I believe? Will love call me back?
2. At the Speed of Love. If Mary Magdalenes faith
was lacking, her love for Our Lord was still very much alive and
operative. She was at the tomb because she loved. After the Blessed
Virgin, Mary Magdalene was perhaps the most fervent in love of all
the women that ministered to Our Lord. The Gospel of St. John
suggests as much, deliberately mentioning only her and saying
nothing of the others who were with her, as the other Evangelists
do. Marys primary urgency of love is a reminder that we can and
must search for Christ with love in spite of the obstacles that are
before us. We have Mary Magdalenes example to guide us when we
face apparent failures -- the empty tombs in our lives. Marys
lamp of love was still burning, like that of the five wise virgins
upon the return of their lord (cf. Matthew 25:1-13). Love sped Mary
back to the tomb to be in Christs presence. Our Lord would not
deny it to her.
3. Fidelity Makes the Difference. Scriptures
testimony to Johns faith upon entering the tomb was that he saw
and believed. Peters faith in this scene still remains somewhat
on the fence. But for John, his faith was secure. What was the
difference between two men? Fidelity. John at the crucifixion was
at the foot of the cross with Mary, Christs mother. Peter fled at
Our Lords most desperate moment of need. There is something about
fidelity that quickens faith. Thanks be to God for Peter (and for
us) that Christ didnt give up on him. And if Christ didnt give up
on Peter, then we cant give up on ourselves. Let us learn the
lesson of conversion that we see in Peter and the lesson of
fidelity that Johns example teaches us. Fidelity opens the road to
a deeper faith. Infidelity slows faiths progress.
Dialogue with Christ: My dear Jesus, I may have
failed you in the past. I may not have always lived faithful to the
experiences of love and fidelity that you have shown me. My failure
to do your will, my fear of the cross I must bear, and my weak
faith all need to be conquered by the power of your resurrection.
Accept what imperfect love I do have, and let me run to you as my
refuge and strength.
Resolution: I will look for and seize the
opportunities to serve my brothers and sisters without looking for
anything in retur