Garden of Transformation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to act upon our experience of intimate contact with Jesus to announce the fullness of life to the people in our environment. 

Contact in the Garden

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents the First Converts in Jerusalem.

* [2:38] Repent and be baptized: repentance is a positive concept, a change of mind and heart toward God reflected in the actual goodness of one’s life. It is in accord with the apostolic teaching derived from Jesus (Acts 2:42) and ultimately recorded in the four gospels. Luke presents baptism in Acts as the expected response to the apostolic preaching about Jesus and associates it with the conferring of the Spirit (Acts 1:5; 10:44–48; 11:16). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 33 praises the Greatness and Goodness of God.

* [Psalm 33] A hymn in which the just are invited (Ps 33:1–3) to praise God, who by a mere word (Ps 33:4–5) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth (Ps 33:6–9). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing (Ps 33:10–11). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene.

* [20:11–18] This appearance to Mary is found only in John, but cf. Mt 28:8–10 and Mk 16:9–11.

* [20:16] Rabbouni: Hebrew or Aramaic for “my master.”

* [20:17] Stop holding on to me: see Mt 28:9, where the women take hold of his feet. I have not yet ascended: for John and many of the New Testament writers, the ascension in the theological sense of going to the Father to be glorified took place with the resurrection as one action. This scene in John dramatizes such an understanding, for by Easter night Jesus is glorified and can give the Spirit. Therefore his ascension takes place immediately after he has talked to Mary. In such a view, the ascension after forty days described in Acts 1:1–11 would be simply a termination of earthly appearances or, perhaps better, an introduction to the conferral of the Spirit upon the early church, modeled on Elisha’s being able to have a (double) share in the spirit of Elijah if he saw him being taken up (same verb as ascending) into heaven (2 Kgs 2:9–12). To my Father and your Father, to my God and your God: this echoes Ru 1:16: “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” The Father of Jesus will now become the Father of the disciples because, once ascended, Jesus can give them the Spirit that comes from the Father and they can be reborn as God’s children (Jn 3:5). That is why he calls them my brothers. (John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that in today’s gospel from John, Jesus is presented as appearing to Mary who holds on to Jesus after firstly had thought him to be a “gardener”.

We pray today with the Divine Gardener Who has embraced His Humanity and in His Resurrection, divinely embraces our humanity in His new garden. He talks to this woman with her arms around Jesus’ feet. He doesn’t banish her, but missions, sends, invites, her, Mary, to be the first announcer of the Good News. Intimacy here, is temporary, real and as with all experiences of intimacy, shared to be re-shared. In the text, Mary does not resist or ask questions about anything. She is missioned to share with His companions who, like Adam and Eve, were hiding out of fear and shame. Intimacy is meant to be fruitful.

The Gardener sends Mary to His (com-pan-ions) each day of His Eucharistic embrace of our Humanity. As with His meeting His mother and this first-sent woman, we shared the “Bread”, the Latin word is (panish) so companions are those who “bread-with). This Bread, this intimacy is meant to be sent within us and then outside of us. (Gillick, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Easter Alleluia,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Because there are these two periods of time - the one that now is, beset with the trials and troubles of this life, and the other yet to come, a life of everlasting serenity and joy - we are given two liturgical seasons, one before Easter and the other after. The season before Easter signifies the troubles in which we live here and now, while the time after Easter which we are celebrating at present signifies the happiness that will be ours in the future. What we commemorate before Easter is what we experience in this life; what we celebrate after Easter points to something we do not yet possess. This is why we keep the first season with fasting and prayer; but now the fast is over and we devote the present season to praise. Such is the meaning of the Alleluia we sing." (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148, 1-2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 2:36-41 comments that in his 1975 apostolic exhortation on evangelization, Pope St. Paul VI described it this way: “The Holy Spirit places on [the evangelizer’s] lips the words which he could not find by himself, and at the same time the Holy Spirit predisposes the soul of the hearer to be open and receptive to the Good News” (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 75).

Never underestimate the power of the Spirit! He is always with you, ready to give you courage and boldness. And he always goes ahead of you, preparing the hearts of the people you will meet today. The more you learn to yield to him, the more powerfully you’ll see him work.

“Holy Spirit, teach me how to share the power and promise of the gospel!” (Meditation on Acts 2:36-41, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the account of the proclamation of Peter of the kerygma that called for baptism and forgiveness of sins in which a large number of people responded. The two angels with Mary Magdalene in the Tomb represent the number required to give witness. Friar Jude notes that when the Good Shepherd calls our name, we recognize Him as Mary, proto-apostle did in the Garden.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author Debie Thomas who describes why our belief in Jesus’ resurrection matters.

In other words, I believe in heaven because I believe in God’s salvation for the children who have died and will die in elementary school classrooms because the United States worships guns. For the millions around the world who died of the coronavirus before vaccines were developed. For Black, brown, Indigenous, gay, and transgender Americans who live in perpetual fear of violence and recrimination on our streets. For the young people who live under the shadow of mental illnesses that modern medicine can’t yet alleviate. For casualties of war around the world. For people in chronic pain…. For all these people … I need to know that, while we have every obligation to alleviate suffering in this world, the salvation of God’s precious children does not, finally, depend upon our clumsy efforts.… (Rohr, n.d.)

We, like Mary Magdalene, are to announce our experience of intimacy with the Love of Christ as we live out our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/2?36 

Gillick, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040224.html 

John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/20?11 

Meditation on Acts 2:36-41. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/02/928855/ 

Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/33?4 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Resurrection Fuels Hopeful Action. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/resurrection-fuels-hopeful-action/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Have Seen the Lord! Daily Scripture net. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr2 

Truth and Denial

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with both our joy and hesitancy in our proclamation of the Easter truth that “He is Risen”.

Present the Truth

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter addresses the Crowd.

* [2:1–41] Luke’s pentecostal narrative consists of an introduction (Acts 2:1–13), a speech ascribed to Peter declaring the resurrection of Jesus and its messianic significance (Acts 2:14–36), and a favorable response from the audience (Acts 2:37–41). It is likely that the narrative telescopes events that took place over a period of time and on a less dramatic scale. The Twelve were not originally in a position to proclaim publicly the messianic office of Jesus without incurring immediate reprisal from those religious authorities in Jerusalem who had brought about Jesus’ death precisely to stem the rising tide in his favor. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 16 is a song of Trust and Security in God

* [Psalm 16] In the first section, the psalmist rejects the futile worship of false gods (Ps 16:2–5), preferring Israel’s God (Ps 16:1), the giver of the land (Ps 16:6). The second section reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God (Ps 16:7–11). (Psalms, PSALM 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, is the Report of the Guard concerning Jesus Resurrection.

* [28:8] Contrast Mk 16:8 where the women in their fear “said nothing to anyone.”

* [28:9–10] Although these verses are peculiar to Matthew, there are similarities between them and John’s account of the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:17). In both there is a touching of Jesus’ body, and a command of Jesus to bear a message to his disciples, designated as his brothers. Matthew may have drawn upon a tradition that appears in a different form in John. Jesus’ words to the women are mainly a repetition of those of the angel (Mt 28:5a, 7b).

* [28:11–15] This account indicates that the dispute between Christians and Jews about the empty tomb was not whether the tomb was empty but why. (Matthew, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB, n.d.)

Ann Mausbach proposes a new word: Frope - feeling equal measure of fear and hope.

In today’s Gospel the realization of what Jesus has done for us is just now sinking in to Mary Magdalene, Mary and his other disciples. The women leave his tomb “fearful yet overjoyed.” These people watched Jesus on his long journey toward the cross and witnessed the difficulties of his path. The day after his death the enormity of his sacrifice is becoming clear to them. They are fearful for what lies ahead, but hopeful because he has risen.

Even though hope and fear may be in our hearts, I think today’s readings are asking us to focus on the hope of the Resurrection. In the first reading we are reminded that God’s love and the Holy Spirit’s promise are stronger than the throes of death. The responsorial psalm asks us to keep our hope in God for he does not abandon us and will keep us safe.  Today, the day after Easter, we are being called to see God in the world. (Mausbach, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The Easter Alleluia,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Our thoughts in this present life should turn on the praise of God, because it is in praising God that we shall rejoice for ever in the life to come; and no one can be ready for the next life unless he trains himself for it now. So we praise God during our earthly life, and at the same time we make our petitions to him. Our praise is expressed with joy, our petitions with yearning. We have been promised something we do not yet possess, and because the promise was made by one who keeps his word, we trust him and are glad; but insofar as possession is delayed, we can only long and yearn for it. It is good for us to persevere in longing until we receive what was promised, and yearning is over; then praise alone will remain." (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148, 1-2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 28:8-15 comments on Mercy. Revelation. Love. These stories of encounter with the Lord always win out because they’re true! They win out because the same encounters are available to each and every person!

Christ is risen. This is the true and life-changing story you have been baptized into. This is your spiritual inheritance. So why not devote this Easter Season to seeking out the risen Lord? Tell Jesus you want to encounter him more deeply in the coming weeks.

Jesus really is risen. And he wants to reveal himself to you.

“Lord Jesus, open my heart so that I can encounter you today!” (Meditation on Matthew 28:8-15, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the first teaching, or kerygma, of Peter speaking on Pentecost about Jesus' resurrection fulfilling the promises to David. The encounter of Jesus with two women as witnesses to His Resurrection is unexpected in the very Jewish Gospel of Matthew. Friar Jude reminds us in the light of the apologia of Matthew, that we focus on apologia as witness and not a weapon.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, identifies death and resurrection as the universal pattern of Reality.

Death and life are two sides of the same coin; we cannot have one without the other. Each time we choose to surrender, each time we trust the dying, our faith is led to a deeper level, and we discover a Larger Self underneath. We decide not to push to the front of the line, and something much better happens in the back of the line. We let go of narcissistic anger, and we find that we start feeling much happier. We surrender our need to control our partner, and finally the relationship blossoms. Yet each time it is a choice—and each time it is a kind of dying. It seems we only know what life is when we know what death is. (Rohr, 2017)

We ponder the meaning of Jesus' Resurrection in our lives as we encounter both participation and disinterest in the implications of this Truth.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/2?14 

Matthew, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/28? 

Mausbach, A. (2024, April 1). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040124.html 

Meditation on Matthew 28:8-15. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/01/928141/ 

Psalms, PSALM 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/16?1 

Rohr, R. (2017, November 9). A Universal Pattern. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-universal-pattern-2024/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). News of the Resurrection. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr1