Gospel Reading: John 20: 1-9
Mary Magdalen, Peter, and John play a pivotal role in today’s Gospel, but what about Mary, the Mother of Jesus? She is not cited in the Resurrection accounts. Why is she not mentioned? Maybe it is because a mother knows.
If you have ever been to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, then you have probably seen Michelangelo’s Pieta, the marble depiction of the sixth sorrow of Mary in which she cradles the lifeless body of Jesus before He was placed in the tomb, the seventh sorrow. These two events fulfilled Simeon’s prophesy of Mary’s heart being wounded.
I know a couple who were unable to conceive a child during their first decade of marriage. Finally, they were blessed with a son whom they named Mikey. Mikey loved his family and deeply cared for our world and those in it. One Saturday in April, many years ago, when Mikey was eight, he went for a bike ride on his street, a thoroughfare on which there was hardly ever any traffic. However, on this Saturday, there was an inattentive driver.
Mikey’s Mother was outside, hanging the washed clothes, when she heard the sirens. Immediately, she was overwhelmed with grief. A mother knows. In death, Mikey brought healing to many people just as Jesus did during His lifetime. Mikey’s corneas brought sight to two blind people just as Jesus brought sight to the blind. We see two sons and two grieving mothers. Unfortunately, the wound left in Mikey’s parents’ hearts did not heal.
On that first Easter morning, Mary didn’t need to witness an empty tomb. Our Mother knew. The pains were healed, her heart knew. She knew that Jesus was alive!
Jesus walked through the opening in the tomb to heal a wounded world. He wants to fill our wounded hearts with an Easter joy that no earthly sorrow can take away. However, our Savior is a gentleman who is waiting for our invitation for Him to come into our lives. Don’t miss the opportunity.
Easter Blessings!
Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz, CSFN
