THE WORD
1 Jn 1,1-4 / Jn 20,1-8
Mary Magdelene 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 don’t 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.
IN OTHER WORDS
Mary Magdalene was a woman in love. She loved Jesus so much that no one could hinder her from going to the tomb early in the morning, never mind what people would say about her visiting a tomb of a criminal. Foremost in her mind was the thought that she had to go and visit a loved one just for her own peace and comfort. But what she found was a puzzlement of an opened tomb prompting her to run and seek the help of Peter and John, perhaps thinking a robbery might have occurred and she could not handle it. Nevertheless, such a concern showed a love that even in the midst of uncertainty and doubts made her continue to believe and to hold unto Jesus. Might we perhaps find in our hearts the same belief and love that continue to persist even in moments of doubts and uncertainties? Another expression of love can be found in John, the beloved who upon reaching the tomb realized a risen Lord and Savior. The kind of love that interprets a mystery which cannot be understood by the mind but can only be grasped by one who loves. Isn’t it true that love is ‘the great interpreter’? When the mind befuddles us, the heart recognizes the beloved. May we have the love of a Magdalene that continues to persevere and the love of a John that interprets the mysteries surrounding us.
- Fr. Jojo Caballes, SVD | SHP, Kamuning, QC
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
