“Peter ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths laid there; then went away wondering to himself at what had come to pass.” (Lk 24:12). Fear and hope, joy and sorrow, love and contrition, contended within his heart.
What an example for us! Often we are alone, working or travelling. In such situations, like St Peter, let us occupy ourself with some mystery of faith, or recall our morning prayer, thereby favorably preparing our heart and mind for the reception of divine grace.
“And he was seen by Cephas.” (1 Cor 15:5) St Paul leaves no doubt that St Peter was the first of the apostles favored by the apparition of their Divine Master.
St John, the beloved disciple, had stood beneath the cross and received the last sigh of his Redeemer. However, he was not favored, but Peter, who had publicly denied him. We may believe that this appearance was accompanied by the most tender and reassuring words to convince the penitent apostle of his Lord’s full forgiveness for the past.
What conclusion should we draw from our Lord’s behavior to St Peter? That God pardons as God -- ie, “entirely”, without “reserve or remembrance of the past”. He loves and even caresses the sinner, as if he had never offended him. “For the gifts of God are without repentance.” (Rom 11:29)
No doubt our Lord’s motive in thus first appearing to St Peter was, among others, to restore him in the opinion of the rest, and to preserve his authority as the chief of apostles. We see that St Peter’s testimony was at once received by his brethren, when they affirmed, “The Lord is risen indeed and had appeared to Simon” (Lk 24:34).
Thus he fulfilled the mission his Divine Master confided to him, “And you, being once converted, strengthen your brethren” (Lk 22:32). How good is the Lord to all of us.
Let us praise him and conform ourselves to his example. When it is our duty to correct anyone to whom respect is due, let us keep his position in mind.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp210-212
A Tired and Thirsty God
“When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’.” (Jn 4:7) In a short sketch, St John narrates how Jesus, with a truly divine strategy, succeeded in securing her conversion from a sinful life; and transformed her into an apostolic soul.
The wealth of meaning contained in this episode is infinite. Yet, a careful reading can make us admire the lovable personality of the hard-working Redeemer who spared no effort in seeking sinners and leading them to salvation.
We find Jesus passing through Samaria on his way to Galilee. It was high noon; he had already spent six or seven hours walking. “Jesus, tired by the journey, sat straight down by the well.” (Jn 4:6) The image of Jesus, exhausted by a long journey, identifies him with us. The God-Man’s weariness should help us bear our own.
We can think of our tired Savior when our job forces us to toil extra hours after a day of intense work. We should remind ourselves that like Christ’s our tiredness has something divine in it, provided it is not the exhaustion of a dissipated life, but the price of serving others and performance of duty.
Jesus’ thirst for souls was greater than his fatigue. His physical thirst offered him the occasion to enter into a dialogue with a poor sinful woman. He wanted to win the respect of this woman through a sign of genuine confidence towards her by asking for some cold water, despite the antipathy between Jews and Samaritans.
When we feel Jesus is asking for things we can give him, in reality he wants us to receive greater benefits from him. In exchange for the mouthful of cold water which he asked of the woman, Jesus made torrents of grace gush forth in her, which cleansed her conscience and transformed her temporal thirst into desires for eternity.
Jesus lays down his demands, but he always gives us more than what he asks. Indeed, when the Lord asks us for something, he is actually offering us a great gift.
Ref: cf Fr M Guzman, “Encounters With Christ”, 1990, pp31-3
The little we do, Our Lord increases
Sometimes, Jesus makes us see the problems are too great for us, that we are helpless. He asks us not to focus on the material resources, because they may only cause us to be pessimistic. Instead, we should rely more on the supernatural means ie, to count on him and his power.
Our Lord wants us to avoid thinking the solution lies in human effort alone. He also wants us to avoid passivity, which under the pretext of total abandonment in God’s hands, converts hope into a disguised spiritual laziness. Jesus asks us for faith, obedience, daring and always to do whatever we can; not to omit available human means.
“The farmer, as he proceeds to turn over the furrows of his field, or scatter seed, suffers cold, bears the discomfort of rain, looks at the sky ... sees it overcast, nevertheless, continues sowing. The only thing he fears is he may be held by woes of life and time will go by, leaving him with nothing to harvest. Don’t put it off till later; do your sowing now.” (cf St Augustine, “Commentary on Psalm 125, 5”, PL 36, 164)
Do this even if probably the field will not yield anything. Don’t wait until we have all the human means or when all difficulties disappear. On the supernatural plane Our Lord blesses our efforts, multiplies them; always brings fruit.
As in the multiplication of the loaves and fishes Jesus makes use of whatever is available. He added the rest. But he did not wish to do without the human means (in reality he desires our cooperation) although they were few. To count on God always is a good sign of humility.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:367-70
Our Lady -- “Most Sweet Heart of Mary, prepare a safe way. Guide our steps on earth with strength and security. Become for us the path we are to follow, since you in your love know the way, a sure short-cut to the love of Jesus Christ.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 178)
Confirmation of the Feast of the Conception of Our Lady, by the Council of Trent, in the year 1545. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
Notre Dame de Lyons. France. 1643. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
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