WEDNESDAY, DEC 27
John 20 1a, 2-8
On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not 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 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 with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
Grace: I ask for the grace to know Jesus in a deeper way that I may abundantly love and follow him.
They came, they ran, they went, they bent down, and they saw. Three of the greatest characters in the Gospel narratives are shown today as actively moving and doing. As we read this passage we can feel a sense of urgency, confusion, strength, and inquiry. Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple are searching. If we imagine the scene, we can see Mary Magdalene’s eyes full of sorrow, confusion, fear, but perhaps a glimpse of hope. With Peter and the Beloved Disciple we sense that with the news Mary Magdalene brings, fear is transformed into determination and strength. Much is risked by running to the tomb. But in all three we can sense a shared spirit of searching.
The journey of faith is a journey of constant searching. Prayer is searching; searching for God in all things, searching for new ways and forms of being open to God’s presence. Through prayer we search for ways to grow in knowing the new images of God in our lives. The one who feels that he can now rest will soon realize there is always more to seek. As St. Augustine tells us “Our hearts are restless till they rest in You.” But how can we find God?
They came, they ran, they went, they bent down, and they saw. The text says one believed. Can I be counted amongst the ones that searched, saw, and believed? These three disciples shared years with the living God and they were still searching. The resurrection brought clarity, peace and courage to their searching souls; can it do the same for me?
For Reflection and Prayer:
As you place yourself in this Gospel scene are you Peter, Mary Magdalene or the Beloved Disciple?
During advent how am I being called to see and believe?
The Contributor:
Lizette Farias is a native Mexican who migrated to the U.S. in her teenage years. She holds a Masters of Art in Pastoral Ministry from Oblate School of Theology. With more than 20 years of pastoral ministry experience both in Mexico and the U.S., she currently works as Assistant Director of the Congar Institute for Ministry Development.
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Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.