He saw and believed

In the Letter to the Hebrews we read that “faith is the certainty of what we hope, the evidence of what we do not see” (11: 1). To expect, you should know what to expect. “Faith comes from what you hear …” writes St. Paul in the Letter to the Romans and adds that “… what is heard is the word of Christ” (10:17). Faith requires a person to take action in the hope that what he has heard will become … Faith is adhering with love to the promises of the Word of God.

However, in a man, despite the fact that he believes, doubts arise. He often forgets God’s promise. All it takes is a little confusion and he is already confused and distracted. He doesn’t know how to behave. He feels fear and fear. Which way to go? Who to ask and make sure? There is emptiness and disappointment. One big unknown. Man feels lost. Even in the face of such a joyful event as the Resurrection of Jesus.

The disciples were present among the crowds that Jesus taught. They were eyewitnesses of the healings he performed. They heard him say to the Jews: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will rebuild it” (Jn 2:19). They saw the resurrection of the daughter of Jairus (Mk 5: 21-43) and Lazarus (John 11-44) with their own eyes. They learned from him to live blessings and love for neighbor, even love for their enemies. They heard with their own ears him announcing his passion, death and resurrection. They were present with Him, they trusted Him and they believed. But when the time for fulfilling Scripture came, when the time for testing came, they got lost…. So far, everything has fallen into a logical whole. Everything could be checked, touched and seen. But the fact that the body of Jesus was lost is beyond human imagination.

On the first day of the week, in the early morning, the next day after Jesus was laid to the tomb, Mary Magdalene went there. What was her motive for going to the grave so early in the morning? It was probably love and longing for the closeness of a Friend that led her there. She was scared because she saw the stone moved away from the grave. On this she based her conclusion: “The Lord is taken from the grave.” She had to share her discovery with someone. She decided to run to His disciples – “to Simon Peter and to the disciple whom Jesus loved.” She told them what she saw.

They were both disturbed and confused by what they heard. They decided to go on their own and find out what happened. They are both running, although the disciple Jesus loved was the first to arrive at the tomb. It can be concluded that this disciple also loved Jesus very much and it was this love that allowed him to stand at the tomb so quickly. He leans down and looks into the grave curiously. He sees the canvases lying there. There is no Lord. There is no friend. Was it the shock and emptiness that stopped this student?

At this time also Szymon Piotr is coming. He goes boldly, as befits an elder, inside the tomb and sees what Mary Magdalene said. There is no Lord, but there are linen cloths lying around and the scarf that Jesus wore on his head. Szymon Piotr is surprised by this picture. Everything is as arranged as after the body has been anointed and wrapped in linen. The sheets lay like a linen cocoon. It was similar with the headscarf, which was still wrapped. She kept the shape of her head. But they no longer covered Nobody or anything. Except for the void inside.

This is what shocked the apostle. He did not understand what could have happened. Then the other student, who has cooled down a bit, also enters. He realized that his Lord and Friend had risen as he had promised. They both don’t know what that means yet. There are still doubts, ambiguities, uncertainty, it is impossible to comprehend it and comprehend it with reason. But you can trust. Joy is awakened, because love is blooming again, because faith has not failed, and hope leads to another meeting. “He saw and he believed.” He saw with the eyes of his soul.

Sometimes someone says they don’t feel like Christmas. As if they weren’t there. And even if they are, what is their purpose and meaning? Maybe then it would be worth considering if I know what I expect from this Christmas. Am I Hearing God’s Word? Do I only believe in God or do I believe God? Am I present in daily prayer? Do I cooperate with the grace of faith received at baptism? What actions have I taken to prepare for this holiday? Maybe it was just a big cleanup and confusion related to the preparation of dishes for the festive table? And some time off. It’s finally possible to rest.

If I listened to God’s promises and accompanied Jesus for 40 days in the desert, and then on the way to Jerusalem, in the events of the Last Supper, in prayer in the Garden of Olives, at the betrayal of Judas and the capture by soldiers, before the judgment of Ananias, Caiaphas and Pilate, at the scourging and crowning with thorns, on the way of the cross; I stood under the cross and suffered with His Mother, I saw him die … and Joseph of Arimathea lays Him in the tomb, so I will also go to the tomb with Mary Magdalene in the early morning, I will run with His disciples to look for His body and my heart will be filled with joy when again I will discover His resurrection.

God gives man the grace of faith and humbly waits when a person decides to accept it and cooperate with it. God stands at the door and knocks. But it also gives man freedom. A person can choose: a blessing or a curse. It is not enough just to declare that I accept the grace of faith. Faith without works is dead. So if a man chooses God, he seeks His will, obey Him and trust in His promises. He listens and accepts God’s words to heart, and places her hopes in Him. And she experiences Easter with joy and peace. He is waiting for the risen Christ. Because He died so that everyone would have life. This truth cannot be kept to oneself. It must be proclaimed to the whole world. Just like Maria Magdalena. Just like the students. Jesus is alive! Hallelujah!

I wish to experience the Holy Resurrection of the Lord FAITH that will allow us to remain with God’s promise in spite of all the hardships of life, LOVE that will fill all the cemeteries of our hearts and HOPE, which will ignite the joy of Jesus’ presence in our lives.

Number of views:
75