First Reading - Acts 2:36-41
Gospel - John 20:11-18
In the first reading, we hear about the repentance of the people who heard Peter's speech. Peter argues in his speech that Jesus is the expected Messiah and the Lord. The impact of his preaching was so great that his hearers were cut to the heart, which means, they were greatly touched by the words of Peter. Consequently, they repented and were baptized. This was an experience of having found or recognized God from whom they had distanced themselves.
The gospel passage gives a beautiful account of Mary encountering Jesus. The process of recognition progresses from different steps; a deep sorrow as manifested in her wailing at the entrance of the tomb followed by her enquiry for the dead body of Jesus and lastly the recognition of Jesus by her. Mary's love for Jesus can be felt all through the passage. It's because of her love for Jesus, she wept for him presuming the violation of the tomb, even wanting to remove the body all by herself and after recognizing Jesus, wanted to cling on to him. The joy of finding Jesus impels her to throw herself at the feet of Jesus. Jesus prevents her from doing so but commissioned her to be the first witness of his resurrection to his disciples.
Dear friends, we have to discover the risen Christ in our lives. The Jews who had come to Jerusalem discovered the risen Christ by listening to Peter who preached to them about the risen Christ. We can also discover the risen Christ by reading and listening to the Word of God. The Word of God is active and alive and it penetrates our hearts like those Jews who heard Peter and were cut to their hearts and like Mary whom Jesus called out by name and she recognized him. Let's give due place to the Word of God in our lives.
The gospel teaches us that we can discover Christ in our lives by our genuine and intense search for Him. Mary was searching for Jesus and lastly found him. If we search him with our heart and soul, we will certainly find him. Our search for Jesus must be motivated by love for him expressed in our prayers, in our activities, and in our daily living. Mary was filled with the love of Jesus and Jesus revealed himself to her. Let's be filled with the love of Jesus and Jesus will reveal his ways to us as he did with Mary by commissioning her to become the first apostle of his resurrection.
May God touch our lives by his words and presence in our lives.
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