JOHN 20, 1-2, 11-18 “YOU ARE DEAD AWAY FROM JESUS”

JOHN 20, 1-2, 11-18 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 22, 2020)

Now, on the first day after the Sabbath, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark, she saw that  the stone blocking  the tomb had  been moved away. She ran to Peter, and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, “ They had taken the Lord out  of the tomb and we don’t know where they had laid him.”weeping outside the tomb; and as she wept, she bent down to look inside. She saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, and the other  at the feet. They said, “ Woman, why are you weeping?” She answered, “Because they took the Lord and I don’t know where they have put him.” As she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there,  but she did not recognize him. Jesus said to her, “ woman, why are you weeping?  Who are you looking for ? She thought it was the gardener and answered him, “sir, if you have taken  him away, tell me where you have put him,  and I will go and take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned, and said to him, “Rabbone!” which means Master. Jesus said to her, “ Do not touch me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them;  I am ascending to my Father, who is your Father, to my God, who is your God.” So Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples. “ I have seen the Lord, and this is what he said to me. 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Life here on earth is temporary. It is a  cocoon  of transformation to fully  enjoy its  real goodness back  into  the womb of the Father in heaven. This transformation process is not easy because it would sum up all the problems, trials, struggles, etc  to overcome the world in our desire to be in heaven. Along the way each and everyone’s hope is extremely challenged that sometimes would nearly lead to absolute frustrations.

The scene narrated in this Bible passage was exemplified to best illustrate the snapshot  of the real message of resurrection. It was made clear that Jesus had risen from the dead. It was so clear that Jesus truly overcame death which in turn an object of our faith.

Resurrection comes after death and likewise death comes after life.  God sowed the seed of life, in fact a good seed of life. All became His people whom He loved in mysterious ways. But because of Satan, these good seeds of life were choked and became dead, I mean like Zombie, coexist as the counterpart of darkness in the face of this deceiving  world.  

Mary of Magdala, a sinner, was our exact representation in front of Jesus. Her moments with Jesus were great allowing herself to completely transform before Jesus is about to leave, returning  back to the Father. So that it is even  very difficult to figure out the frustration of Mary when Jesus was put into death on the cross. She could not help but rather be with Jesus even in His tomb until resurrection. However, sad because Mary , out of her frustration was not able to recognize Jesus standing on her side while she was weeping.  

Brothers and sisters in Christ, like Mary  we might be blinded with the presence of Jesus in our lives if  we will take in so much worries, insecurities, problems and all frustrations in life. We should not allow our worldly concerns, issues and worries to eye mask our sight unto Jesus for  we might lose our way unto him. 

The clear message of resurrection in this Bible reading clarifies that all of us away from Jesus is dead, I mean spiritually dead. Resurrection is having a new life through Jesus unto the Father. Resurrection is not the same as merely coming back to life like what had happened to Lazarus  and the daughter of Jairus from which Jesus brings them back to life. Lazarus’s accounts and many others who have given the privileges to continue their temporal lives do not exist nowadays, meaning they must be dead many years after, in fact  we could not hear them now. This is the meaning of coming back to life. But speaking of resurrection, it is a new and everlasting  life through Jesus unto the Father. This is the kind of life that we are hoping for, as Jesus resurrected himself after three days. 

Relatives in Christ, let us not be disguised by the tendencies of worldly concerns, issues, problems, trials and the likes for these might mask our eyes into seeing Jesus in this temporary life that we are living. God bless us all.

Visits: 344