Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
WEEK NINETEEN: FROM DISBELIEF TO BELIEF - DAY 2
MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on Matthew 28: 1-6: The Resurrection of Jesus. "After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." [Please read Matthew 28: 1-15 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection; ask for the grace to be glad and rejoice intensely because of the great joy and the glory of Christ our Lord (#221)
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb of Jesus to complete His burial rites. They were not anticipating Jesus' resurrection. They were in the throes of intense sorrow and grief over the passing of their beloved Rabbi. In an instant their frame of mind is obliterated and replaced by earth-shattering Good News! Matthew begins his account by stating that there was an earthquake. Heaven has descended upon earth in the form of an angel of the Lord, whose appearance is described in a similar way as the transfigured Jesus on Mount Tabor. The Resurrection of Jesus signals the turning of the ages! A paradigmatic change in the world has occurred. No longer will it be the same. Immediately, the Resurrection of Jesus puts its stamp on everything around, bringing it all into subjection. The guards are shaken with fear and become like dead men. And the women are freed from their fear, and are filled with exceeding joy at knowing that Jesus has been raised from the dead. And then the angel gives them incontrovertible proof by showing them that the tomb is empty: "He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." In subsequent appearances, the disciples will experience first-hand how the world has been transformed by the resurrection of Jesus!
God always offers us an invitation, He knows that our souls are drawn to Him, it is part of being made in His image and likeness. It is our own choice, that free will to decide for yourself. But we need evidence so He gives it. "He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6. I have been to the tomb, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where the tomb resides. We celebrated mass there and witnessed Jesus come out of the tomb. Sitting there and experiencing the supernatural presence of God is an overwhelming experience, you come away changed, your senses do not deceive you.
What is God saying to you? You have to experience Jesus, only then is ones life transformed. You become the free among the dead, for you, who were chosen have chose the Lamb of God as the Risen Lord. Come and see, the goodness of My Son.
Dear Father, You give Your children experiences that are to be shared. You give us Holy places that are not to be defiled to worship you. May we each accept the invitation that You offer each of us, may I not stand in the way of another coming to know You. Create within me a clean heart, strength to share Your love and courage to accept the challenges that will come. Prayers of thanksgiving for Your graces and blessings in each of our lives, You are the Giver of the greatest gift, life eternal. Draw us within the sheep gate under Your mantle of protection. In Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Son of David, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on Matthew 28: 1-6: The Resurrection of Jesus. "After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." [Please read Matthew 28: 1-15 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection; ask for the grace to be glad and rejoice intensely because of the great joy and the glory of Christ our Lord (#221)
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb of Jesus to complete His burial rites. They were not anticipating Jesus' resurrection. They were in the throes of intense sorrow and grief over the passing of their beloved Rabbi. In an instant their frame of mind is obliterated and replaced by earth-shattering Good News! Matthew begins his account by stating that there was an earthquake. Heaven has descended upon earth in the form of an angel of the Lord, whose appearance is described in a similar way as the transfigured Jesus on Mount Tabor. The Resurrection of Jesus signals the turning of the ages! A paradigmatic change in the world has occurred. No longer will it be the same. Immediately, the Resurrection of Jesus puts its stamp on everything around, bringing it all into subjection. The guards are shaken with fear and become like dead men. And the women are freed from their fear, and are filled with exceeding joy at knowing that Jesus has been raised from the dead. And then the angel gives them incontrovertible proof by showing them that the tomb is empty: "He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." In subsequent appearances, the disciples will experience first-hand how the world has been transformed by the resurrection of Jesus!
God always offers us an invitation, He knows that our souls are drawn to Him, it is part of being made in His image and likeness. It is our own choice, that free will to decide for yourself. But we need evidence so He gives it. "He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6. I have been to the tomb, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where the tomb resides. We celebrated mass there and witnessed Jesus come out of the tomb. Sitting there and experiencing the supernatural presence of God is an overwhelming experience, you come away changed, your senses do not deceive you.
What is God saying to you? You have to experience Jesus, only then is ones life transformed. You become the free among the dead, for you, who were chosen have chose the Lamb of God as the Risen Lord. Come and see, the goodness of My Son.
Dear Father, You give Your children experiences that are to be shared. You give us Holy places that are not to be defiled to worship you. May we each accept the invitation that You offer each of us, may I not stand in the way of another coming to know You. Create within me a clean heart, strength to share Your love and courage to accept the challenges that will come. Prayers of thanksgiving for Your graces and blessings in each of our lives, You are the Giver of the greatest gift, life eternal. Draw us within the sheep gate under Your mantle of protection. In Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Son of David, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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