I Have Seen The Lord

Beads of Joy 07-22-10

I Have Seen The Lord
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

What magnificent joy today's reading is jam packed with. Let's take a look at a really quick review of today's reading: Mary Magdalene came to the tomb to be with Jesus; the tomb was empty; so Mary began seeking out Jesus; see found someone and asked them where they moved Jesus to; Mary didn't recognize Jesus; then Mary's eyes are open and she really sees Jesus now. That is such an exciting day to experience for anyone, especially as dedicated a believer as Mary Magdalene was. By the way today's scripture is John 20:1-2, 11-18 (Eternal Word Became Flesh). One thing we can see in today's reading in so many ways, we live in our own life at times, just like Mary Magdalene did that very day she seen Jesus before He ascended to His Father. Think about this, she was in the presence of Jesus probably only a few feet away, and yet initially she didn't even recognize His presence. I wonder why? Was Mary distracted by her own sorrow? Maybe she had other things on her mind, maybe her own safety without Jesus there to protect her. I don't know, just grabbing at anything here. Why was Mary so distracted from recognizing Jesus, even though she was literally in His presence?

But think about it, what was it that opened Mary's eyes? Verse 16 says it all, "Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rab-bo'ni!" It was His personal recognition of her that opened her eyes. He spoke her name and she knew in her heart who this man was. Jesus speaks to all of us personally in His own way. Did you ever experience a situation where you said to yourself, "Thank you Lord, I know you had something to do with that." You know that feeling inside that awakes not only by maybe the magnificence of whatever it was but maybe because the faith you always that it would was awakened. Do you know what I mean? This happens to me all the time. Many, if not most, of you know Chrissy's situation. Well through it all, there have been so many little "mini" miracles I have lost count. Think of Jesus as a relationship, not only as a Lord and Son of Almighty God. When we have a relationship with someone there is a certain connection that we feel and sense at all times. It's the same with Jesus.

His Resurrection is such an incredible base to our faith. He has risen. He defeated death. Death no longer has its grip on us. Mary Magdalene was the first one to see Jesus before he ascended to God. She did not recognize Him at first, maybe it was because she was looking for His body. She did say that, thinking He was the gardener. She wasn't looking for Jesus in the risen "death defeating" state she inevitably found Him in. All it took was Jesus saying her name and she opened her eyes. I am sure she dropped to her knees after Jesus told her not to touch Him. She must have been so overwhelmed with so much joy. Oh what a true definition of Joy if I ever read one. Keep your eyes open, sometimes Jesus will work His message and miracles through another to get it to you. Maybe it'll take someones illness, or injury to open your eyes. Remember Lazarus. "Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days." John 11:4-6. If you really look you will find Jesus in many places.

Do we live our lives in such a way that we recognize His presence in our lives? Do we hear Him in His words and when He speaks to our heart and we know it's Him, what do we do? We need to keep our radar, on Jesus' channel at all times. It might be EWTN on cable. LOL, but in our hearts it's through the power of the Holy Spirit that we will recognize Him. In fact I challenge you to look at ever single situation you are dealing with and don't be depressed by it, until you first find Jesus. You will find Him, trust in Him, you will. We are going through a most horrible scary time in our family right now. Most of you are close to the details daily as I post them. I see Jesus everyday in this horrible frightening disease. His hand is in our lives and the lives of those around us. Trust in Him, please don't take my word for it, pray about it and trust that He cares about you every single day. Pray the words you know I will suggest that you pray, and don't just pray them once, pray them hundreds of times a day. "Jesus, I trust in You."


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO