A central figure in the post-Resurrection stories is Mary Magdalene who was freed by Jesus of her personal demons – things holding her back from following Jesus - and called to a new life, a new beginning. The happenings recorded in the Gospel accounts of the past week must have produced an emotional roller coaster for her and the Apostles while at the same time shaping life-altering decisions. Do we express gratitude for Divine Mercy, all that Jesus has done to change our lives? Are we willing to respond to this change?
How do we approach the empty tomb? Are we fearful and choose to hide in our personal Upper Room? Have we been emptied of unhealthy attachments? Jesus is inviting us to live in a new way. The God who loves me has great things in store for me. Jesus is challenging me to be bolder in my faith and in my actions. Mary Magdalene responded wholeheartedly. John, the first to approach the empty tomb, was the first Apostle to make the decision to believe. Thomas, whom we encounter in today’s Gospel, was the last. What will it take for us to believe? The wounds on Jesus’ hands, feet and side are rather convincing. What is the message Jesus is sending me to share with others?
Brennan Manning was a popular spiritual writer of the 1970’s. In one of his books, he told the story of two soldiers serving together in the war. A grenade was thrown into their foxhole and one of the soldiers used his body to absorb the full impact of the explosion, dying in the process, but saving the life of his comrade. Following a lengthy period of recovery, the survivor ultimately returned to the United States. His first stop was to visit the mother of his deceased friend. He reminisced with her at length about the young man then became reflective and asked, “Do you think he loved me?” The mother was quite offended and serious in her reply, “DID HE LOVE YOU? WHAT MORE COULD HE HAVE DONE FOR YOU?”
When, like Thomas, we doubt God’s love; when Resurrection and Divine Mercy seem unfathomable to us, let us look at His Wounds. He could do no more for us. Doubt no longer but believe.
Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz, CSFN
