The burial had been rushed because of the Jewish Sabbath, which began at sunset, Friday. The three Marys -- Magdalene, the mother of James the younger and Joseph, the mother of James -- and Salome, hurried to the tomb on the first day of the week, that they might embalm the body of Jesus. (cf Mk 15:40; 16:1)
Who cannot help but admire the fervor and courage of these holy women who left the town alone while still dark? They climbed the hill of Calvary, and went straight to the tomb despite the soldiers guarding it. Their love made them so fervent and courageous.
If we loved as they did, what would we pursue for the glory of God and the salvation of souls! How perfectly and perseveringly we would perform our spiritual duties! What progress we would make! For love makes all things easy, and never thinks it has done enough.
The stone the chief priests and Pharisees had placed at the tomb and sealed, must surely be an impossible obstacle to the pious plans of these women. They asked each other, “Who shall roll back for us the stone from the door of the sepulchre?” (Mk 16:3) Occupied only with the sole idea of paying last duties to their beloved Master, they went on.
We might meet with apparently insurmountable difficulties in execution of commands, in pious tasks, or in practice of good resolutions. We must not get discouraged; but imitate these holy women and go on with a blind confidence, doing what we can, persuaded that God will supply the rest, if it is necessary for his glory or the good of his creatures.
“... they saw the stone rolled back, for it was very large.” (Mk 16:4) God worked a miracle, an earthquake, for these women who showed such persevering, ardent love. The soldiers, struck with terror, “became as dead men” (Mt 28:4).
Thus does God often come to aid those who trust in him, against all the laws of human wisdom, as St Paul says of Abraham, ‘who against hope believed in hope’. Indeed ordinary means must not be neglected; but confidence in the goodness and power of God should rise above, and often silence human wisdom.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp200-202
‘... into the whole world’
Our Lord’s Resurrection is a call to apostolate. Each of his appearances ends with an apostolic command. To Mary Magdalene, Jesus says: “Go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and to your Father” (Jn 20:17); and to the other women, “Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee and that they shall see me there” (Mt 28:10).
The disciples of Emmaus reported that same night that Jesus is alive. (cf Lk 24:35) “Afterwards he appeared to the eleven as they sat at table ... he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation’." (cf Mk 16:14-5). The Apostles began to preach “repentance and forgiveness of sins ...” (cf Lk 24:44-7)
What they preach and testify to, are not mere speculations but salvific facts they have personally witnessed. The death of Judas brought the need to complete the number of twelve apostles. One condition is the candidate must be a witness to the Resurrection. (cf Acts 1:21-2)
“The Christian vocation is by its very nature a vocation to the apostolate” (Second Vatican Council, “Apostolicam actuositatem”, 2) and “all the faithful, from the Pope to the child who has just been baptized, share one and the same vocation, the same faith, the same Spirit, the same grace ... They all have an active and appropriate share in the single mission of Christ and of the Church.” (cf A Del Portillo, “Faithful and Laity in the Church”)
We cannot be prevented from exercising the right in fulfilling this duty. Nor can we remain silent. So much ignorance is around; error, too. Numerous people go through life lost and confused because they don’t know Christ. We must communicate daily to all, the doctrine and the faith.
“No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all ... Let your light shine before men, so they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (cf Mt 5:15-6)
“At the end of his time on earth, Christ commanded: go out and teach. He wants his light to shine in the words and behaviour of his disciples, and in yours, too.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 930)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:329-31
The Resurrection Shows the Mission of Christians
“Jesus came and stood before them. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said ... ‘As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’” The Apostles were sent out with the same mission with which Christ was sent to earth by the Father -- to all the world, to announce the Gospel of peace. Only they? The Second Vatican Council teaches that the whole People of God is called ‘to participate in Christ’s mission’: of Christ, Priest, Prophet, and King.
He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’. Have you received the Holy Spirit? Have you ‘accepted’ him? Do you know well what ‘receiving and accepting’ the Spirit means? Remember particularly the Sacraments of Baptism, of Confirmation, of Penance, of the Eucharist, in which the gift of the Spirit is conferred or increased.
Remember again, the Spirit is a gift -- prayer is always necessary for obtaining it. With prayer, too, we dispose ourselves to accepting it properly. The Spirit is actually given to us for active sharing in the Resurrection of Christ.
“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is ...” (Col 3:1). At the very center of this mission is found the new ‘man open to the Father’ who lives in the fulness of his humanity only when he is capable of surpassing himself with the power of truth and love.
Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp167-8
Our Lady -- “The holy Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, will bring relief to your heart, when it feels as if it’s made of flesh, if you have recourse to her with confidence.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 504)
Apparition of Our Lady to St Ludwina, in the year 1433. — John Brnshman. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
Our Lady of Guam (1825). (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
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