Readings for Tuesday in the Octave of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 2:36-41
The selection from Acts today continues the First Discourse by Peter concerning the Messiah. In this section he introduces Baptism in the name of Jesus. This is in accord with the instructions of all four Gospels found here for the first time. Peter’s arguments are compelling and we are told that three thousand accepted the call.
We note here also Peter called for “repentance” in addition to the call to Baptism. While Baptism washes away past sins, repentance is a call to on-going conversion of heart. This indelible change is a consequence of the gift of the Holy Spirit also given in Baptism.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Psalm 33 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. In this selection the emphasis is on faithfulness to God who has saving power combined with hope, a central component of faith in God.
Gospel Jn 20:11-18
Today we are given St. John’s account of the first meeting between Mary Magdalene and Jesus following the Lord’s crucifixion. In this account we get a distinct picture that the ascension had not been completed but the Lord is waiting to deliver his final instructions.
There is debate about when the Lord ascended to the Father. Clearly his last earthly appearance was fifty days following the resurrection. Most scholars believe Jesus ascended immediately following his meeting with Mary depicted here. His return and actions from this point to the Ascension (Acts 1:1-11) were to accomplish the gift of the Holy Spirit he had promised.
Reflection:
While we are still deep in the joy of our Easter of hope In Christ Jesus, we reflect on some of the particulars of reconciling our faith with the physical world. Recognizing first that we will not understand how God did what he did to the Lord and that the resurrection of the body, while we accept it as part of our creedal faith, is something we wonder about.
At some level of logic, if we are to believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist we must try to reconcile what we know of the physical body and what we accept on faith. It is a difficult and sometimes painful process (while there are epiphanies, flashes of insight along the way, it is a process of understanding).
The Gospel today has helped me. I have long believed that Christ’s risen and glorified body is the one present in the Eucharist. It is that body that appeared to the disciples in the locked room (more about that in a couple of days). In his newly risen state, he did not want Mary Magdalene to hold on to him (physically, spiritually?) because he had not yet ascended to the Father.
The significance this story and specifically the ancient words “Noli me tangere” (Don’t hold me) rings clear to us. We must not keep the Lord of the World in a box. We cannot fully understand what he must do and we may not define him in human terms but must direct our minds and emotions to allow him to be what our logic abhors, a mystery.
We contemplate the resurrection event again today as we hope in our own salvation. Salvation promised in that same resurrection and sealed in the waters of our Baptism. We shake free of the pain and suffering of the Lord’s Passion and accept now his newly risen appearance. We are amazed at what God has done for us.
Pax
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 2:36-41
The selection from Acts today continues the First Discourse by Peter concerning the Messiah. In this section he introduces Baptism in the name of Jesus. This is in accord with the instructions of all four Gospels found here for the first time. Peter’s arguments are compelling and we are told that three thousand accepted the call.
We note here also Peter called for “repentance” in addition to the call to Baptism. While Baptism washes away past sins, repentance is a call to on-going conversion of heart. This indelible change is a consequence of the gift of the Holy Spirit also given in Baptism.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Psalm 33 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. In this selection the emphasis is on faithfulness to God who has saving power combined with hope, a central component of faith in God.
Gospel Jn 20:11-18
Today we are given St. John’s account of the first meeting between Mary Magdalene and Jesus following the Lord’s crucifixion. In this account we get a distinct picture that the ascension had not been completed but the Lord is waiting to deliver his final instructions.
There is debate about when the Lord ascended to the Father. Clearly his last earthly appearance was fifty days following the resurrection. Most scholars believe Jesus ascended immediately following his meeting with Mary depicted here. His return and actions from this point to the Ascension (Acts 1:1-11) were to accomplish the gift of the Holy Spirit he had promised.
Reflection:
While we are still deep in the joy of our Easter of hope In Christ Jesus, we reflect on some of the particulars of reconciling our faith with the physical world. Recognizing first that we will not understand how God did what he did to the Lord and that the resurrection of the body, while we accept it as part of our creedal faith, is something we wonder about.
At some level of logic, if we are to believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist we must try to reconcile what we know of the physical body and what we accept on faith. It is a difficult and sometimes painful process (while there are epiphanies, flashes of insight along the way, it is a process of understanding).
The Gospel today has helped me. I have long believed that Christ’s risen and glorified body is the one present in the Eucharist. It is that body that appeared to the disciples in the locked room (more about that in a couple of days). In his newly risen state, he did not want Mary Magdalene to hold on to him (physically, spiritually?) because he had not yet ascended to the Father.
The significance this story and specifically the ancient words “Noli me tangere” (Don’t hold me) rings clear to us. We must not keep the Lord of the World in a box. We cannot fully understand what he must do and we may not define him in human terms but must direct our minds and emotions to allow him to be what our logic abhors, a mystery.
We contemplate the resurrection event again today as we hope in our own salvation. Salvation promised in that same resurrection and sealed in the waters of our Baptism. We shake free of the pain and suffering of the Lord’s Passion and accept now his newly risen appearance. We are amazed at what God has done for us.
Pax
Please pray for Esther.
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene” by Lavinia Fontana, 1581
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