SOCL, Easter1B

March 31, 2024

On the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb

See

Traditionally, we have found it easier to think of the cross as the measure of God’s love for us. Perhaps, because of the focus on the cross, we find it more difficult to think of the resurrection as also the love of God, even “all the more so”! The originality of the Fourth Gospel says it all: the disciple Jesus loved, the head cloth recalling Lazarus (see how much he loved him) and, not least, the great figure of Mary Magdalene (Mary!). In summary, Jesus died and rose again for love of us.

Listen

Acts 10:34, 37-43; Psalm 118 (117); Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18

Reflect

(John 20:1-18)

-The disciples are in a state of shock after their traumatic loss. Jesus, the one in whom they had placed so much hope, has been murdered and buried. Then, before they have time to recover they get another shock. The body of Jesus is missing. Have you had experiences in which one tragedy or crisis follows quickly after another? What was that like for you? How did you cope? Who, or what, sustained you?

-Mary and Peter, and the other disciple, came and discovered that the tomb was empty. In this text no explanation is given. They are left in a state of bewilderment ‘for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead’. Have you been in situations, faced with events you cannot explain, possibly events that have dashed your hopes in another person, or in God? What has that been like for you?

-Yet in spite of the lack of explanation, the beloved disciple ‘saw and believed’. Have there been times when others have done something that you could not understand, and which they could not explain at the time, and yet you believed that all was not as it seemed; times when you decided to trust in spite of the evidence? Have there been times when others have shown this kind of faith in you, when you were not able to offer satisfactory explanations, and all you could say was ‘trust me’?

-Have there been times in your relationship with God when you have felt that you were faced with an empty tomb, and still you believed? What have you learned about life, about love, from such experiences?

Pray

God of undying life, by your mighty hand you raised up Jesus from the grave and appointed him judge of the living and the dead. Bestow upon those baptised into his death the power flowing from his resurrection, that we may proclaim near and far the pardon and peace you give us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, first-bring from the dead, who lives with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Act

-Embrace God's love fully, seeing challenges as opportunities for growth.

-Practice gratitude daily for blessings and acts of love around you.

-Align your actions with values of love and service, living with purpose inspired by Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ad, March 31). Easter Sunday The Resurrection of the Lord. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033124.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/