"Beads of Joy" by RosaryManJim: Respond

BEADS OF JOY 12-27-18

“Respond – To An Empty Tomb”

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: John 20:1a,2-8 (The Empty Tomb)
“Now on the first day of the week [Mary Magdalene] ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.”

Reflection:
Today let us continue our quest to RESPOND this week. Was Jesus not so powerful or as impressive in human form as many had hoped the Savior to be? Did His humanity change how the average person may see an all-powerful God? How powerful was the first sight of that empty tomb to John? If Jesus personally told you, He’d raise from the dead three days after His death; what would solidify that statement? Maybe an empty tomb might do it? How might you RESPOND? I think this is what every Catholic and every believer in Jesus needs to see. His word is no longer questioned and what He can and can’t do is no longer questioned. The empty tomb proves that not even death could hold Him; and the He speaks only truth.

No greater confirmation of our faith than to see the tomb of our Savior empty, knowing that what He said is what He meant. Are our eyes focused on seeing Him? Do we see how His resurrection became the most significant part of our faith and how to this day, His resurrection is still talked about? Without it maybe we may have never heard of Jesus.

What does it take for you to RESPOND? Do you need to personally see the empty tomb? Can you remain strong in what you believe in; from reading about what the disciple John saw? I wonder how the gospels identify how the empty tomb of Jesus was discovered and made know it was empty.

In Matthew's Gospel: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were told by the angel standing outside the tomb that Jesus was risen. They did not actually look to see if the tomb was really empty, but departed quickly, to tell the disciples.

In The Gospel of Mark: Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James and Salome found the stone had been moved from the sepulcher and in going in, found Jesus was gone and a young man there to tell them that Jesus was risen.

In Luke's Gospel, the women who came from Galilee, Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, Johanna and other women found the stone had been moved from the sepulcher and going in, they found Jesus was gone and two men in shining garments there. The two men told the women that Jesus was risen, and they went and told the disciples, who did not believe them.

In The Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene found the stone moved, but it was still dark, and she did not go in the sepulcher. She ran and told Peter and the 'disciple whom Jesus loved'. They ran to the tomb and it was the 'disciple whom Jesus loved' who arrived first (John) and looking in, saw that the tomb was empty. Peter arrived and they both went into the tomb and saw two angels.

Dec 27, St John,
Apostle and Evangelist

Bishop Robert Barron on
The Nativity of Luke's Gospel

The True Meaning of Christmas
w/ Archbishop Fulton Sheen

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Thursday: We pray the Luminous Mysteries:

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:13-17)
2. Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-12)
3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15)
4. The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13)
5. Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matt 26:17-30)

Glory and Honor and Praise -Lord Jesus Christ!!