Have they taken away my Risen Lord? If so, what to do? – ‘Turn is the Turning Point'

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

16^th Week – Wednesday

Gospel –John 20: 1-2, 11-18

Feast of Mary Magdalene

 

Have they taken away my Risen Lord? If so, what to do? – ‘Turn is the Turning Point'

"They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him. When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there"

1) The situation of Mary Magdalene

When Mary came to the tomb she could not find the body of Jesus. So she thought that someone has taken away her Lord from the tomb.

For this she was very upset

She started to Cry

This cry shows that she really missed Jesus in her life

This cry shows how much she loved Jesus

This cry shows how much she valued Jesus in her life

This cry shows she is ready to do anything to get her Jesus back

Great is her love for Jesus

2) How she found missing Jesus in her life

She just turns to other side and finds Jesus there

Something marvelous and wonderful. Just a turn and there she finds Jesus

What a wonderful sight. Later she realized that it was Jesus and she was so happy to encounter the Risen Lord.

The turn of Mary was so powerful that she was able to find and experience Jesus

We have a similar situation in the Life of Jesus. “The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times. And he went out and wept bitterly” Luke 22:61-62

On the one side the turning and look of Jesus was So powerful, which changed Peter completely

At the same time the turn of Peter was so powerful that made him to realize his great mistake of denial.

So we can imagine how powerful the turn is and look of the Lord and also of Peter. Same thing happens in the life of Mary

3) "They" have taken away the Lord

In today's context who are "they"

We can say that 'COVID19' takes the place of "they"

COVID19 is making us to feel that it has taken away our Sunday Eucharist

COVID19 is making us to feel that it has taken away the sacrament of Reconciliation and all the other Sacraments.  

COVID19 is making us to feel that it has taken away our various liturgical celebrations

COVID19 is making us to feel that it has taken away the adorations and retreats

COVID19 has made us to feel insecure, anxious and tensed, because our loved ones are caught up in various places and many of them are suffering and tensed about their lives and future

All these situations make us feel that our beloved Lord is missing from our lives

In this tensed situation what shall we do?

Mary Magdalene just turned her view from the tomb to the other side. And there she finds the Risen Lord, which changes the entire situation.

4) Turning and looking the other side is very important in this present day context

All of us are looking at one side, which makes us to weep, worried, tensed and lost. But this is not the end of the story

Just fix your gaze to the other side of the situation and there you will find your beloved Lord

"WHAT WOULD BE THE OTHER SIDE"

Word of God is the other side. Look at there you will find your beloved Lord

Look at your family. Spend your time in praying and sharing your joys and sorrows. You will find your Lord there.

There are so many who need our help these days. Try to help in whatever way possible to the needy. There you will find your Lord.

There are many who have died these days due to various reasons. We are not able to attend the funerals. By praying for them we will find our divine Lord there.

Because of the situation we are asked to stay inside the House. Turn towards your house and be there in solitude. You will find your Risen Lord There

One more important turn is “Turn towards your life”. Take a deep turn to go inside yourself.  ‘To Know Thyself” needs a deep turn. For sure you will find your beloved Lord.

5) ‘Turn’ is the turning point

Once Mary encountered the Risen Lord, everything changes. Changes for the better and for the best

When we are able to find our Risen Lord in the above mentioned places, our life becomes meaningful and the situation which we are facing also becomes meaningful to us

Definitely by turning to the other side we are able to encounter the Risen Lord

Let’s try to turn to the other side of our Life, where the Risen Lord is waiting for me for the divine encounter 

Am I ready?

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones.

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore