Last week, I was reflecting on my Holy Week Retreat. The theme of the retreat was, “Go to Galilee; It is there you will see me!” Matt. 28:7, depicted in James Jacques Tissot’s painting, Jesus Appears to the Holy Women. These women had set out with heavy hearts to go to the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body. How could this have happened? How could God have permitted it? In the face of death, darkness and suffering, they searched for answers, where there were only questions for certainty, when only faith beckoned. I continued, though sometimes overwhelmed, to spend time in prayerful dialogue with these courageous and determined women, pondering what they learned, what gave them hope, how they had courage to remain faithful in face of such crushing violence.
I admit there were moments, when I wanted to run away from these encounters, feeling too weak, too comfortable to face the challenges of these our times. These holy women, among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the Sons of Zebedee and Salome, came alive for me as I engaged them in dialogue. They talked of their excitement at meeting Jesus for the first time, their joy at discovering his concern and deep respect for each of them, his gratitude for their selfless service. When I asked them what they learned along the way, they spoke of Jesus’ concern for those on the margins, of sharing with the poor, of trusting that there is always enough, of the healing power of forgiveness and love. They reflected on how the words of Jesus challenged the systems of their day, angered the leaders of the community and how fearful and worried they sometimes grew. They often questioned if they had the strength to stay faithful. “Then, what about the darkest hour,” I asked, “Jesus’ capture, scourging, the carrying of the cross to Calvary and the crucifixion?” “ How did you find the courage to stay when the others left him, fled and had not been heard from?” “I clung to His words and trusted that even in that moment, he would somehow keep His promise to remain.” one said. “He had already given His Body and Blood at the supper—I really didn’t get it fully, but some tiny grain of faith sustained me.”And, now, what joy! “Go to Galilee; It is there you will see me!” They abandoned what they thought was their immediate mission and were the first messengers of the good news of Jesus’ Resurrection.
Galilee
Are we not also called to be messengers of the same Good News? Where do we see Resurrection in our Galilees? Doesn’t all of life engage with birth, death, and resurrection.? Take the Oscar winning performance of a dandelion appearing through the cement curtains of a cracked sidewalk or images of people being pulled out of their tomblike enclosures following recent tornadoes or earthquakes. What is the good news of Resurrection in the life we are now living? Doesn’t just saying the words Easter, Resurrection cause an intake of air, fire our breath and release energy and spirit inside our bodies, when dark or deathly things come knocking at our doors? Resurrection invites us to look for signs of life all around us, our parish communities “fanning the flames of faith” through Word, Eucharist, hospitality, friendliness and inclusivity; our youth’s enthusiastic involvement in seeking, serving and sustaining hope in each other; seniors sharing the wisdom of their years with the young; generosity of donors and agencies in providing food for the hungry and homeless in our midst; efforts for restorative justice and for promoting respect for the life and dignity of all.
Yes, Jesus is back! As Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote in “The Wreck of the Deutschland”- “Let Him easter in us, be a dayspring to the dimness of us, be a crimson-crested east”. May Alleluia be our song, as we seek, recognize and honor the presence of the Risen Jesus among us as we make our way on our pilgrim journey through life – in our Galilees, wherever! Happy Easter!
Mary Frances Coleman rsm
US Province
Written for the Easter issue of the Catholic BYTE
