Sunday Readings for April 4-5, The Resurrection of the Lord
By Fr. Jack Treloar, SJ | For On Mission
The Gospel for Easter this year tells of Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene. This narrative manifests a major characteristic of our risen Lord. In his Resurrection, Jesus acts as consoler to his family, friends, and disciples who had lost the most important person in their lives. As he appeared to each of them, he consoled them with the assurance that all is well and they should rejoice with him in his new life.
In the appearance to Mary Magdalene, the consolation develops gradually. He asks her why she is weeping. He encourages her to relive the horror of Good Friday so that he can prove to her that all is well. First, he speaks her name, and she realizes that she is talking to the one who had freed her from the seven demons. She learns that she must now spread this good news to all the others. Mary Magdalene now becomes a chief ambassador for proclaiming that the Lord is truly risen.
The general pattern of the appearance to Mary Magdalene occurs in many of the Resurrection stories. First, there is confusion. Then the risen Jesus reveals himself. Next, he consoles the person. Finally, he gives them the commission to spread the Word to others. This pattern plays itself out for every person in the Gospel stories and for anyone today who witnesses to the Gospel. All of us should have a burning desire to proclaim the risen Lord to all we meet.
Pick a time when you were grieving a terrible loss. You were like Mary Magdalene at the tomb, sad because Jesus had died and confused because his body was missing. The stranger appears and asks why she is weeping. Notice his gentleness as he reveals his identity. Are there any times in your life when you faced a terrible problem and suddenly you knew the answer or solution? You knew this was not due to your own cleverness. Could it be that the Risen Jesus was consoling you amid your agony and suffering? He tells you, “It will be all right, I love you.”
The readings for Sunday, April 5, can be found at The Resurrection of the Lord | USCCB.