GOSPEL PEARLS

Witnesses of Jesus

Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father (John 20, 17)

Gospel Pearls 19_04_2022

Mary stayed outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, still weeping, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. They said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away’ she replied ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognise him. Jesus said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.’ Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuni!’ – which means Master. Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her. (John 20, 11-18)

Like Mary of Magdala, all those who have received the grace to recognise Jesus' presence in their lives must try to be a witness to those who still do not believe, also resisting the temptation of keeping Jesus to themselves. When did you first notice the presence of Jesus in your life? Did you witness Him to those you meet every day or did you try to keep Him to yourself?