"Go tell my brothers... they will see me"
The angel had said to the women: “Go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead and is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him'.” (Mt 28,7). In saying these words, the angel was not speaking to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary but, in these two women, was sending the Church out on its mission. It was the Bride whom the angel was sending towards the Bridegroom.
While they were on their way the Lord came to meet them and greeted them, saying: “Greetings; rejoice!” (Gk)... He had said to his disciples: “Greet no one along the way” (Lk 10,4), so how was it that he hastened to meet these women along the way and greeted them so joyfully? He didn't wait to be recognized, didn't seek to be identified, didn't allow himself to be questioned but hurried eagerly towards this encounter... This is what the strength of love does; it is stronger than all else, exceeds all else. In greeting the Church Christ greets himself for he has made it his own. It has become his flesh, his body as the apostle Paul attests: “He is the head of the body, the Church” (Col 1,18). Yes, the Church in all its fulness is indeed what these two women personify...
He found that these woman had already attained to maturity of faith: they had mastered their weaknesses and were hasteneding towards the mystery. They were seeking the Lord with all the ardor of their faith. This is why they were worthy of his giving himself to them as he came to meet them and said: “Greetings, rejoice”. He did not just allow them to touch him but to grasp hold of him according to their love... In the Church these women are models of the messengers of the Gospel.
| Monday, April 01, 2013 Monday in the Octave of Easter |
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