From the Gospel according to Matthew 28:8–15
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb,fearful yet overjoyed,and ran to announce the news to his disciples.And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,and there they will see me.”
While they were going, some of the guard went into the cityand told the chief priests all that had happened.The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel;then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,telling them, “You are to say,‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’And if this gets to the ears of the governor,we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day
The Gospel of the Lord
Only the one who dies truly lives.
Only the one who weeps over the Passion of Christ with genuine sorrow can fully rejoice in His Resurrection. Only the one who follows Christ—as He Himself tells us—by denying oneself, taking up one’s cross, and dying with Him, can rise with Him to a new life and taste true joy.
I had always reflected on Mary’s joy upon seeing the risen Jesus. But today something deeper has moved me: the joy of Jesus in seeing Mary—the immense joy of Love that gives itself and is received. The joy of the Redeemer as His redemption is fulfilled in the one who allows herself to be redeemed.
Jesus sees her, as He sees all of us, in the truth of our hearts. In Mary, He does not see only tears: He sees a soul purified by love. He sees the one who left sin behind to follow Him, who remained at the foot of the cross, united to every wound, every step, every nail. Mary did not fear suffering with her Lord… because she loved. And that is why she finds Him: because she allowed herself to be transformed, because she sought Him when others fled, because she kept watch when others slept.
Christ longs to reveal Himself within us. For this, we must consent to the death of “self-love” so that “divine love” may live. Let us ask the Holy Spirit for light to understand how this dying will unfold within our marriage, leading us as spouses into a new life—one that will bring joy to the Heart of the Redeemer. Jesus invites us to die in order to live. Let us die with Christ so that we may rise with Him!
Applied to Married Life
Two mentors speaking about a couple they helped.
Lisa: Joe, how beautiful it is to see how Leslie and Ryan are doing. I still can’t believe it when I think about it. Do you remember how they were?
Joe: Of course I do—they almost didn’t make it to the retreat… their families wanted them to separate… actually, everyone they spoke to did. It was such a hard time. No one believed in their marriage. But God did—and we, His poor instruments, did too.
Lisa: I live in constant amazement seeing God’s work, which surpasses all human logic and reasoning. He makes all things new.
Joe: Did you know they’re going to start training as mentors?
Lisa: How great is the Lord! Glory to God!
Joe: Glory to God!
Mother,
Teach us to walk the Way of the Cross with Jesus, holding your hand. Teach us to trust when the cross feels too heavy. Lead us to Calvary, so that we may die with Christ and rise with Him. Praised be your trust!Blessed and praised be Jesus!