Hope and Love Encountered.

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary reveal two encounters with the Risen Christ. The zeal and courage of the Apostles, as they leave the Upper Room and move motivated by the Spirit to spread the Good News, brings the attention of many who reconsider their previous encounter with Jesus and conclude that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah. They seek to be united with the Body of the Risen Jesus through communion with the thousands called by the Spirit to “conversion” through Peter’s witness. The psalmist echoes the phrase “Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,

even as we hope in you.” (Psalms 33: 22) The Gospel of John relates the experience of Mary Magdalene who is seeking to resolve the emptiness in her heart over the apparent disappearance of the Beloved from her life. The Love motivating her reveals that “Rabbouni!” continues to live in her life. Her experience of the Risen Christ is chosen to be the foundation of the news that Jesus will be with His disciples in Galilee. Intimate love will be the witness that brings this Truth to the Apostles. We are motivated to change through many influences. Love and hope are mighty movers!