I Have Seen The LORD

"Mary stood weeping outside the tomb; and as she wept, she bent down to look inside.  She saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of JESUS had been, one at the head, and the other at the feet.  They said, 'Woman, why are you weeping?'  She answered, 'Because they have taken my LORD and I don't know where they have put HIM.'

As she said this, she turned around and saw JESUS standing there, but she did not recognize HIM.  JESUS said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?  Who are you looking for?'  She thought it was the gardener and answered HIM, 'Sir, if you have taken HIM away, tell me where you have put HIM, and I will go and take HIM away.'

JESUS said to her, 'Mary!'  She turned and said to HIM, 'Rabboni!' - which means Master.  JESUS said to her, 'Do not touch ME, because I have not yet ascended to the FATHER.  But go to MY brothers and say to them: I AM ascending to MY FATHER, who is your GOD.'

So Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the LORD, and this is what HE said to me.'" - John 20:11-18 

(Do not touch ME, because I have not yet ascended to the FATHER.  Before HIS death, JESUS did not disapprove of  the passionate feelings and actions of Mary.  Now this familiar gesture to take possession of her loved Master is no longer appropriate.

HE is now the Risen One, and though HE lets HIMSELF be seen by HIS disciples for a few days, HE is in the glory of the FATHER.  HIS disciples must relinquish the physical presence of JESUS with which they felt so much at ease.  From now on the followers and lovers of JESUS will embrace HIM in a secret and marvelous way, when they are given gifts of prayer and faith.  It is then that the contemplative spirit, who is represented by Mary, may enjoy the whole of CHRIST [see Song 3:4].

I have not yet ascended to the FATHER.  JESUS is revealing the great desire that filled HIS life.  HE came from GOD and must return to the FATHER.  This is "the greatest love in the world."  All the love that JESUS has for us is but a manifestation  of that other love, because GOD the FATHER is the fountain and the goal of all love. 

It is not by chance that the word LORD is again repeated seven times, the last time by Thomas: "YOU are my LORD and my GOD."  This expresses the faith of the Church.

Let us remark that the persons concerned in this event did in fact call JESUS, "the Master."  However, John puts on their lips the word LORD.  Why?  From the first days of the Church, the believers had to find words to express their faith in JESUS, Son of GOD.  Being the Son, HE was not the same person as GOD, but HE was one with HIM.  How is this divine condition best expressed?

In Sacred Scriptures two names were given to GOD:  GOD and YAHWEH.  At that time the Jews no longer pronounced the name of YAHWEH and instead said: "the LORD."  Moreover, in the Greek Bible used by the apostles and the Church, YAHWEH was also translated as "the LORD."  So the apostles decided very soon to retain the term GOD when speaking of GOD the FATHER, and to call JESUS "the LORD," by this affirming that HE was not inferior to the FATHER.

The risen JESUS' apparitions to HIS disciples, besides fostering their hope and making them qualified witnesses of HIS resurrection, were necessary for their spiritual formation.  The disciples had to learn to recognize JESUS no longer through their senses but through faith.  Likewise, we have to learn to recognize and follow JESUS in the dim light of faith, in desolation as well as in consolation, thus we too will be among those whom JESUS blesses: Happy are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe [verse 29].

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Fearful Yet Overjoyed

"In fear, yet with great joy, the women left the tomb and ran to tell the news to HIS disciples.

Suddenly, JESUS met them on the way and said, 'Rejoice!'  The women approached HIM, embraced HIS feet and worshiped HIM.  But JESUS said to them, 'Do not be afraid!  Go and tell MY brothers to set out for Galilee; there, they will see ME.'

As the women proceeded on their way, some of the guards went into the city, and reported to the chief priests all that had happened.  The chief priests  met with the elders, and decided to give the soldiers a large sum of money, with this order, 'Say that HIS disciples came by night while you were asleep, and stole the body of JESUS.  If Pilate comes to know of this, we will explain the situation and keep you out of trouble.'  The soldiers accepted the money and did as they were told.  This story has circulated among the Jews until this day." - Matthew 28:8-15 

(Suddenly JESUS met them on the way.  It is obvious that Matthew is combining two different events; one, the discovery of the empty tomb, and the other, which happened later on, the apparition of JESUS to Mary Magdalene alone as related in John 20:11-18.

Set out for Galilee.  Why did JESUS say this date if HE was going to appear later that same day in Jerusalem? [Luke 24:13-42].  It is not clear.  Probably the evangelists combined several apparitions to simplify their narration.  Anyway, time was needed for the apostles to believe in the Resurrection and understand something about it.  After the two apparitions in Jerusalem, in which JESUS tried to convince them that HE was not a phantom or a spirit, they would have to return to their provinces and environments, far away from the city that had caused them such trauma, in order to ponder what they had experienced.  In Galilee, JESUS will manifest HIMSELF differently, making them understand that HE is already glorified, that HIS existence is earthly no more.

A woman, Mary Magdalene, conveys the message, in order to indicate that, in the Church, not everything will come from the authorities.  GOD communicates with whomever HE wishes, giving prophetic messages to simple people and to women.

The resurrection of CHRIST is the pivotal point of the Gospel; yet Matthew reports it briefly.  Why?  Because when Matthew wrote his Gospel, the Resurrection was considered too great an event to put into writing: rather, it should be proclaimed and witnessed to by the Spirit at work in the Christian communities.

Are we in a different situation?  The Church that talks of the Risen CHRIST should never be a powerful Church but a Risen Church.  If the Church finds itself in a situation where there is no apparent hope of salvation, yet it is revived by the power of GOD; if in each generation the Church seems doomed to die because of its ancient structures, its worldly ways or the persecution it undergoes, yet it is nevertheless given new energies and new apostles by the LORD, then the Church is a witness that the LORD has risen and has given her the power to rise.)

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Seek What Is Above

"So, then, if you are risen with CHRIST, seek the things that are above, where CHRIST is seated at the right hand of GOD.  Set your mind on the things that are above, not on earthly things.  For you have died and your life is now hidden with CHRIST in GOD.  When CHRIST, who is your life, reveals HIMSELF, you also will be revealed with HIM in glory." - Colossians 3:1-4 

(Here we have what was said about baptism [2:12] which joins us to CHRIST and makes us share in all HIS wealth.  Since CHRIST left this earth, we leave it too: what is best in our lives, what motivates us to do things is neither visible, nor is it of the earth.  GOD alone knows the riches of the believer's heart, even when her life seems tarnished by various faults and weaknesses: one day GOD will manifest the goodness, the "glory" which we do not yet see [see Matthew 25:31-46].)

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CHRIST, Raised From The Dead

"Don't you know, that in baptism, which unites us to CHRIST, we are all baptized and plunged into HIS death?  By this baptism in HIS death, we were buried with CHRIST and, as CHRIST was raised from among the dead by the glory of the FATHER, we begin walking in a new life.  If we have been joined to HIM by dying a death like HIS, so shall we be, by a resurrection like HIS.

We know, that our old self was crucified with CHRIST, so as to destroy what of us was sin, so that, we may no longer serve sin - if we are dead, we are no longer in debt to sin.  But, if we have died with CHRIST, we believe we will also live with HIM.  We know, that CHRIST, once risen from the dead, will not die again, and death has no more dominion over HIM.  For, by dying, HE is dead to sin, once and for all, and, now, the life that HE lives, is life with GOD.

So you, too, must consider yourselves dead to sin, and alive to GOD, in CHRIST JESUS." - Romans 6:3-11 

(We are all plunged into HIS death.  Baptism means entering into CHRIST to share the benefits of HIS sacrifice.  It also means the acceptance of a complete change of life, that of CHRIST in HIS death and resurrection.

You must consider yourselves dead to sin... It is evident that baptism, even when received with faith, does not make us perfect immediately.  It is enough for us to give our whole attention to commandments?  What if the fear of temptation and daily faults paralyze us?  Beware of scruples and guilt complexes!  Paul proposes a different way: it is most important for us to believe that sin has no power over us.  Our eyes will be fixed on CHRIST knowing that we belong to HIM that HE HIMSELF transforms us.  Such an apparent carefree attitude serves us more effectively than nervousness.) 

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JESUS Learned Obedience

"We have a great high priest, JESUS, the Son of GOD, who has entered heaven.  Let us, then, hold fast to the faith we profess.  Our high priest is not indifferent to our weaknesses, for HE was tempted, in every way, just as we are, yet, without sinning.  Let us, then, with confidence, approach the throne of grace.  We will obtain mercy and, through HIS favor, help in due time.

Every high priest is taken from among mortals, and appointed, to be their representative before GOD, to offer gifts, and sacrifices for sin.  He is able to understand the ignorant and erring, for he, himself, is subject to weakness.  This is why he is bound to offer sacrifices, for his sins, as well as, for the sins of the people.  Besides, one does not presume to take this dignity, but takes it only when called by GOD, as Aaron was.

Nor did CHRIST become high priest in taking upon HIMSELF this dignity, but it was given to HIM, by the one who says: YOU are MY son, I have begotten YOU today.  And in another place: YOU are a high priest forever, in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

CHRIST, in the days of HIS mortal life, offered HIS sacrifice with tears and cries.  HE prayed to HIM, who could save HIM from death, and HE was heard, because of HIS humble submission.  Although HE was Son, HE learned, through suffering, what obedience was, and, once made perfect, HE became the source of eternal salvation, for those who obey HIM." - Hebrews 4:14-5:9 

(For the Jews, the high priest - despite his personal defects - was a sacred person protecting the people from the punishment deserved by their sins.  The people needed not only leaders to govern them, but an advocate before GOD.  Aaron, Moses' brother, the first priest of the Jews, had been such a man.  His successors, the high priests, were to be the same.

This idea is developed here: the high priest is the people's representative before GOD, and he must be weak as they are but accepted by GOD.  CHRIST is just that and perfectly so.  Forgetting that JESUS is a man among humans is as serious for the faith as forgetting that HE is the Son of GOD.

It is helpful to look at the role of CHRIST, the high priest, at this time when the Church reminds us that all the faithful are associated with the priestly role of CHRIST.  We must represent humanity before GOD; we are consecrated to GOD for that purpose.

In the Eucharist we thank GOD in the name of everyone.  In daily life we must be instruments of the grace of GOD by being people who promote truth, encourage love and establish peaceful relationships.

HE offered HIS sacrifice with tears and cries.  In Scripture, these words are used to express the insistent prayer of the oppressed children of GOD: they cry to GOD in such a loud voice that HE listens to them.  Thus, the night before HIS death, JESUS identified with men and women who suffer and do not want to die.)

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I Received From The LORD What I Handed On To You

"This is the tradition of the LORD that I received, and, that, in my turn, I have handed on to you; the LORD JESUS, on the night that HE was delivered up, took bread and, after giving thanks, broke it, saying, 'This is MY body which is broken for you; do this in memory of ME.'   In the same manner, taking the cup after the supper, HE said, 'This cup is the new Covenant, in MY blood.  Whenever you drink it, do it in memory of ME.'  So, then, whenever you eat of this bread and drink from this cup, you are proclaiming the death of the LORD, until HE comes." - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 

(The Eucharist is the center and heart of the life of the Church, which is, before all else, a communion with GOD and with others.  The Church is not only an instrument for spreading the Good News, but the place here on earth where people can already experience the union between themselves and CHRIST.

You are proclaiming the death of the LORD until HE comes. All the Eucharists celebrated around the world each day and every minute of the day, remind us that the death of CHRIST fills up the time until HIS coming.

History cannot cease, nor civilization be stagnant as happened in past centuries.  Not only does technical progress force us to advance, but also the requirements of justice springing from the death of the innocent [and here GOD is the innocent] destroy the established order.  JESUS' death does not allow the world to rest or have peace.  The Church reminds us of the death of CHRIST, not to preserve the past, but to draw from this unique event new energy for both reconciling and condemning.)     

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The LORD GOD Is My Help

“The LORD YAHWEH has taught me
so I speak as HIS disciple
and I know how to sustain the weary.
Morning after morning HE wakes me up
to hear, to listen like a disciple.
The LORD YAHWEH has opened my ear.
I have not rebelled,
nor have I withdrawn.
I offered my back to those who strike me,
my cheeks to those who pulled my beard;
neither did I shield my face
from blows, spittle and disgrace.
I have not despaired,
for the LORD YAHWEH comes to my help.
So, like a flint I set my face,
knowing that I will not be disgraced.

HE who avenges me is near.
Who then will accuse me?
Let us confront each other.
Who is now my accuser?
Let him approach.

If the LORD YAHWEH is my help,
who will condemn me?
All of them will wear out like cloth;

the moth will devour them.”
- Isaiah 50:4-9

(“Who is the prophet talking about, himself or another?” [Acts 8:34]. Actually the servant could be as in 49:1 the faithful minority, but it could also be, perhaps, the prophet himself, or who knows, a “Prophet” who is to come? The author refuses to choose between servant and servants.

Former prophets met with the same opposition. Moses had to endure a rebellious people; Jeremiah had been persecuted and imprisoned [see Jeremiah 20:7 and 37]. On the basis of these examples, we see a profile and mission of the perfect servant of YAHWEH. This will be JESUS, but every one of HIS prophets can apply all these words to himself or herself.

Note the beginning of the poem. The Servant will be able to transmit the word and to encourage on behalf of GOD because he himself listens every morning and keeps his ears open. To sustain those who are tired, we must be taught by GOD: the true prophet is a person of prayer, open to the spirit of GOD. “No one but the spirit of GOD knows the secrets of GOD… and through HIM we understand what GOD in HIS goodness has given us [1 Corinthians 2:11-12].)

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GOD Is Glorified In HIM

"After saying this, JESUS was distressed in spirit, and said plainly, 'Truly, one of you will betray ME.'  The disciples then looked at one another, wondering whom HE meant.  One of the disciples, the one JESUS loved, was reclining near JESUS; so Simon Peter signaled him to ask JESUS whom HE meant.

And the disciple, who was reclining near JESUS, asked HIM, 'LORD, who is it?'  JESUS answered, 'I shall dip a piece of bread in the dish, and he to whom I give it, is the one.'

So JESUS dipped the bread in the dish and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.  As Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him, 'What are you going to do, do quickly.'

None of the others, reclining at the table, understood why JESUS had said this to Judas.  As Judas had the common purse, they may have thought that JESUS was telling him, 'Buy what we need for the feast,' or, 'Give something to the poor.'  Judas left as soon as he had eaten the bread.  It was night.

When Judas had gone out, JESUS said, 'Now is the Son of Man glorified, and GOD is glorified in HIM.  GOD will glorify HIM, and HE will glorify HIM very soon.

MY children, I AM with you for only a little while; you will look for ME, but as I already told the Jews, now I tell you: where I AM going you cannot come.  I give you a new commandment: Love one another!  Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are MY disciples, if you have love for one another.'

Simon Peter said to HIM, 'LORD, where are YOU going?  JESUS answered, 'Where I AM going you cannot follow ME now, but afterward you will.'  Peter said, 'LORD, why can't I follow YOU now?  I am ready to give my life for YOU.'  'To give your life for ME?'  JESUS asked Peter.  'Truly I tell you, the cock will not crow, before you have denied ME three times.'" - John 13:21-38  

(I give you a new commandment.  That is to say, a commandment appropriate for the advent of a new era.  The Old Testament spoke of interior fidelity to GOD and love of neighbor, but this message often remained hidden among the complexities of the law.  Besides, there are many ways of loving: even a fanatically religious person can claim to be loving GOD.  In the New Testament JESUS says that love of GOD is the highest law.  The example given by the LORD during HIS earthly life reminds us of the way to love.

Love that is like GOD's aims at liberating our neighbor and enabling her to fully develop her God-given gifts.  Love like the LORD's helps the neighbor become what GOD wishes her to be, by passing through death to resurrection.

Moreover, when we go deeper into the mystery of divine love revealed to us through JESUS, our love becomes merged with the eternal love of GOD that alone, in the end, shall permeate all we do.  True love comes from GOD and makes us return to unity within GOD.

Time and again, JESUS points out the unique importance of Christian love.  Later, HIS apostles [e.g., 1 John 4:7 ff.] and the Church would sum up HIS teaching on love: Love of GOD is shown through love of our neighbor, love of our neighbor depends on love of GOD.  What is it really to love GOD?  The great saints and mystics of the Church tell us that love of GOD is not "to feel GOD," to feel devotion or affection for GOD.  Christian love lies not in sentiment or feelings [though on some occasions we might feel affection or devotion, which is helpful]; to love GOD is to be determined to do what GOD wishes at each moment of our lives.  What GOD wishes of us regarding our neighbor is that we render loving service and forgiveness.)

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The LORD Is My Light And My Salvation

"Here is MY servant whom I uphold,

MY chosen one in whom I delight.

I have put MY spirit upon him,

and he will bring justice to the nations.

He does not shout or raise his voice.

Proclamations are not heard in the streets.

A broken reed he will not crush,

nor will he snuff out the light

of the wavering wick.

He will make justice on earth;

the islands are waiting for his law.

Thus says GOD, YAHWEH,

who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread the earth and all that comes from it,

who gives life and breath to those who walk on it:

I, YAHWEH, have called you for the sake of justice;

I will hold your hand to make you firm;

I will make you as a Covenant to the people,

and as a light to the nations,

to open eyes that do not see,

to free captives from prison,

to bring out to light those who sit in darkness."

- Isaiah 42:1-7

(The servant is at times Israel, in other passages it is the minority of the faithful, conscious of their vocation, who try to struggle against the indifference of the majority.  It would also signify the prophet [or prophets] who share with the faithful the word of GOD.

In different passages of the Gospel JESUS assures HIS disciples that they are the "sons of the prophets," and the Apostles, in their turn would understand that the Servant after all and before all others, is JESUS [Matthew 12:8; Acts 3:13; 4:27].  JESUS, Servant of HIS FATHER and Son of HIS maidservant [Psalm 116:16 and Luke 1:38].

The prophet had just celebrated the victories of Cyrus.  Those victories actually only  prepared another step forward, of a people of believers who, freed from captivity in Babylon, would declare to the world their faith and their hope.

This minority is the Covenant of the nation: thanks to these faithful believers of GOD continues to be present among this Jewish people where a majority do not listen to HIM.  It is this same people that will re-establish the Covenant with GOD.  It will then give to the nations [the people of the East], and to the islands [the western world] justice, that is to say a new order willed by GOD.)

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HE Humbled HIMSELF

"Though HE was in the form of GOD,

HE did not regard equality with GOD as something to be grasped,

but emptied HIMSELF,

taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness,

and, in HIS appearance, found, as a man,

HE humbled HIMSELF by being obedient, to death,

death on the cross.

That is why GOD exalted HIM

and gave HIM the name which outshines all names,

so, that, at the name of JESUS all knees should bend

in heaven, on earth and among the dead,

and all tongues proclaim, that CHRIST JESUS is the LORD,

to the glory of GOD the FATHER."

- Philippians 2:6-11

(HE did not regard equality with GOD: the mystery of GOD's Son who became a mortal man and gave up GOD's glory, although HE could have preserved it even in HIS human life.  Since CHRIST was to be the New Man, glorified by GOD and placed above everything, HIS being subject to misery and limitations was a way of being reduced to nothingness.

GOD exalted HIM.  The humiliation and obedience of CHRIST were the condition for receiving HIS glory.  HE gave HIM the name [of GOD], that is, HE made HIM fully enjoy in HIS human nature the divine Power [or name].)

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