HOMILY FOR TUESDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER.
THEME: THE UNBURIED LOVE OF MARY.
BY: Fr. Karabari Paul.
“They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him”” (John 20:11-18).
Mary Magdalene came from Magdala. It was not unusual for someone to be identified by their birthplace, (Saul of Tarsus, Jesus of Nazareth), etc. Magdala was on the shores of the Sea of Galilee but is no longer in existence. After Jesus had cast out seven demons and healed her of an unidentified illness, Mary Magdalene became a devoted follower and disciple.
She was the first to witness the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene is mentioned 12 times in the four Gospels, which is more than most of the disciples. She was a faithful disciple of Jesus and remained as close as possible throughout the crucifixion. Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene. John does not tell us when Mary returned to the tomb, merely continues his account with her there. Mary was weeping for the suffering of Jesus, for His death, for the loss to her and her friends, and because she could not find His body. Jewish people took the first seven days of mourning so seriously that mourners could not wash, work, or even study the law. To them, the missing body would have been intolerably tragic.
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The enemies had understood when Jesus said He would rise from the dead, and, according to the Synoptics, had placed special guards around the tomb to keep the body from being stolen. Later, the Jewish leaders would spread the preposterous lie, as seen yesterday in the Gospel, that the disciples had stolen His body and were only pretending that a resurrection had occurred.
Mary, now alone and grief-stricken, did not leave the tomb with the others but stooped to see inside. Where there is a true love for Chris, there will be a consistent adherence to Him and a purposeful heart to cleave to Him. The love of Mary could never be buried with Jesus. Death ends so many things but not Mary’s love. Those that have lost Christ ought to weep; she wept at the remembrance of his bitter sufferings; wept for his death, and the loss of His body. Those that seek Christ must also do so in sorrow (Luke 2:48), must weep, not for Him, but for themselves.
Christ’s manifestation to those who seek Him, often outdoes their expectations. Mary wanted just to see the dead body of Jesus, and so complained of the loss of that, but she saw Him alive. This same way, He does for praying people more than they are able to ask or think. For those that love Him, He rewards them greatly. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God bless you and your household always through Christ Our Lord Amen. Good morning.
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