Today's gospel turns from Matthew's account of the early Resurrection day to John's account. The scene is somewhat different. But the underlying message is this: heh, folks, there is just so much to talk about that the Church needs a full eight days to let us get not a full understanding of what happened but clues to treasures that lie ahead in the liturgical year. To believe we could encapsulate the Resurrection in one day is to miss the awe of God's gift to us.The event John pictures for us is classic. We never know at first glance if Jesus is speaking to us in the visage of someone we know or of a stranger. One of the most difficult occurences in my priesthood is when I feel it necessary to turn someone away who is seeking help. I fear that it might be Jesus trying to teach me.
There is the folklorish story of the young boy who comes upon Michelangelo beginning to work on a large block of marble. For a while the youngster watched a the renowned artist chipped away large and small pieces of the marble. Several weeks later the boy passed by the artist and his work. No longer was it just a piece of marlbe in its early stages of development. The boy looked at the work and asked, "How did you know there was a lion in that marble?"
Mary Magdalene thought it was a gardener who was approaching her near the tomb until he spoke and said "Mary." She was utterly amazed. She did not speak; she grabbed him. It was her Lord.
As Fr. Henri Nouwen wrote words that might help: "Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and becomea friend instead of an enemy." Can you be sure it is not the Lord speaking at first glance when you hear an unknow voice or meet an unknown figure? How did you know there was Jesus in that person?
