These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her. (Jn 20:11-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042225.cfm
Mary Magdalene is extremely important to the gospel story. She is the “Apostle to the Apostles.” Her words to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” are the same words that Saint Paul will use much later to describe his experience of the Risen Lord (1 Cor 9:1). We pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace!
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.” (Mt 28:8-15)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042125.cfm
Fearful and overjoyed describes disciples in every age, but the Risen Lord tells us: “Do not be afraid.” Today with great devotion we remember +Pope Francis (1936-2025) who died this morning. “Well done good and faithful servant!” (Mt 25:23). May he rest in peace!
Two men in dazzling garments appeared to the women. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, "Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day." And they remembered his words. (Lk 24:1-12)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041925.cfm
Sometimes in our fear and trembling we need a reminder that the Lord is in control. The faithful women at the Tomb received such a reminder and remembered his words. We too hear the message of the faithful women, we remember his words, and we continue to proclaim the Good News: Christ is risen. He is risen indeed! Alleluia, alleluia!!
Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. (From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday)
As the Church reflects on all that has happened in Holy Week, we wait in the Great Silence. Today even the liturgy silently waits, until it breaks into Easter joy.
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (Jn 18:1-19:42)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041825.cfm
“Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” asks the old spiritual. Yes, in the figure of the beloved disciple and the mother of Jesus, we are all there, gathered together, and caught up in Love. https://youtu.be/6ZONb4zM7VI?si=vs-6DNiOmAV8oSwD
