SATURDAY, EASTER OCTAVE
Acts 4: 13-21 Ps 118: 1, 14-21 Mk 16: 9-15
EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF RESURRECTION!
Today’s gospel account speaks of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. Jesus’ appearance to her reaffirms the power of the risen Lord over the healing that he had brought in her life before his crucifixion and she is empowered to share her experience with others. However, her experience is ignored by the apostles, whose hearts were overcome with fear. Similarly, they failed to accept the testimony of the other two disciples who shared their experience of the risen Lord.
The cruel crucifixion and death of Jesus had blinded the followers of Jesus. All the preaching, miracles and wonders that Jesus performed while still alive, was clouded with the veil of fear and doubt in their life. Probably they never expected that Jesus’ life would have such a tragic end. They seem to have forgotten the words of Jesus. He had prophesied about his arrest and death but he also had said that he would rise again on the third day. Therefore, when Mary Magdalene shared her experience of the risen Lord, in their blindness they saw the old Mary Magdalene with seven demons and the other two filled with fear running away from Jerusalem.
Often the weakness of others blinds the human mind and heart, which is corrupted by original sin. Our human nature is such that in times of trials and suffering it tends to believe in weakness rather than strength that comes from God. Baptism washes away the original sin deeply rooted in the human person. One has to make a constant effort to live according to the ways of God with the help of the Holy Spirit, whose temple we become in baptism. Jesus had to suffer, die and rise from the dead to give us the grace to trample underfoot the world, the flesh and the devil. In our weaknesses, when we turn to our mighty God who conquered death, He hears our cry and makes us courageous witnesses of the power of his resurrection. Thus, may our lives be walking proofs of the Eternal life which Jesus has won for us!
Response: I will thank you, Lord, for you have answered me.
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