Apr. 12 - The Resurrected Jesus visits His Mother ( words from Pope St. JPII)

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Hazcompate posted this yesterday, and I repeat it today in order to share it with others:

The Gospels mention various appearances of the risen Christ, but not a meeting between Jesus and his Mother. This silence must not lead to the conclusion that after the Resurrection Christ did not appear to Mary; rather it invites us to seek the reasons why the Evangelists made such a choice… If the authors of the New Testament do not speak of the Mother’s encounter with her risen Son, this can perhaps be attributed to the fact that such a witness would have been considered too biased by those who denied the Lord’s Resurrection, and therefore not worthy of belief.

How could the Blessed Virgin, present in the first community of disciples (cf. Acts 1:14), be excluded from those who met her divine Son after he had risen from the dead?

Indeed, it is legitimate to think that the Mother was probably the first person to whom the risen Jesus appeared. Could not Mary’s absence from the group of women who went to the tomb at dawn indicate that she had already met Jesus? This inference would also be confirmed by the fact that the first witnesses of the Resurrection, by Jesus’ will, were the women who had remained faithful at the foot of the Cross and therefore were more steadfast in faith.

The unique and special character of the Blessed Virgin’s presence at Calvary and her perfect union with the Son in his suffering on the Cross seem to postulate a very particular sharing on her part in the mystery of the Resurrection.

Pope Saint John Paul II

General Audience of Wednesday, May 21, 1997

I put some words in bold for emphasis. The Saints are blessed in their writings, by God Who knows they have asked for and received from Him the grace to bear witness to His Truth. Both St. Teresa of Avila and Pope St. John Paul II bear witness in their writing to this visit of the Resurrected Jesus to His Mother. It is a joy to me and I hope it is a joy to many today to read these words of Pope St. John Paul II.

Thanks again to hazcompat for finding this quote! Today is the Day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Blessings to all on this Feast of the Resurrection of Jesus!

Mary, Mother of the Church, thank you for being both Mother and Model for the Church. Your steadfast Faith is our example in these days of difficulty. We rejoice with you, in God our Savior. Queen of Heaven, rejoice and pray for us, your children! Jesus we trust in You!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Cath,

Thanks so much for your “Faith-Full and Loving Heart” on this Easter Sunday. May it be a most beautiful one for all of us. Despite the hardships many of are suffering during this time of Covid-19, we know from the Letter of James that trials are permitted that we may grow stronger in our Faith:

James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.

Perseverance in Trial.

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing…(James 1: 1- 4)

Mary, Mother and Model of the Church, intercede for us that we may be faithful to Jesus – to the end, as you were on this earth.

 

[Dan_Defender]

Indeed, it is legitimate to think that the Mother was probably the first person to whom the risen Jesus appeared.

I fully agree. She was/is his most faithful disciple, his beloved mother and constant companion throughout his life and ministry. It is only logical she would be the first witness to the resurrection.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Dan_Defender,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I think I was convinced of it even before I read St. Teresa of Avila’s account of Jesus’s telling her: “On My resurrection I went to our Lady who was in great need… and I stayed long with her for she was in very great need of consolation”

Reading the words of Pope St.John Paul II gave another confirmation on the truth of the matter. I put parts of Pope St.John Paul II’s quote in bold, because it seems we need to help our brothers and sisters to better understand the unique union between Jesus the Incarnate Son of God and Mary His human Mother who conceived Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is an almost incredible “devaluing” of Mary’s importance in the minds and hearts of many today, but that can change if by God’s Grace, we persevere in prayer with fervor and patience for all her children to know her and through her to know Jesus more. Please let us continue to pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy through Mary.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear QuillWriter, Tis_Bearself, and Stephie,

Thank you all for your “hearts” letting us know that you agree with the words of Pope St. John Paul II concerning Jesus’ going to Mary First on His Resurrection. Perhaps some of you, like Stephie, also read the rest of the thread and may also agree with me in replying to Dan_Defender:

Reading the words of Pope St.John Paul II gave another confirmation on the truth of the matter. I put parts of Pope St.John Paul II’s quote in bold, because it seems we need to help our brothers and sisters to better understand the unique union between Jesus the Incarnate Son of God and Mary His human Mother who conceived Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is an almost incredible “devaluing” of Mary’s importance in the minds and hearts of many today, but that can change if by God’s Grace, we persevere in prayer with fervor and patience for all her children to know her and through her to know Jesus more. Please let us continue to pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy through Mary.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Quiet Trad,

Thanks for your “heart”, which lets us know that you agreed with the words of Pope St. John Paul II regarding Jesus’ tender visit to His Mother. It is similar to the scene in the Gospel for this Tuesday, in which Jesus also consoles Mary Magdalene with the same tenderness, saying to her:

Woman, why are you weeping?