A Prayer for Women

The role of women in the Passion and Resurrection Narratives in the Gospels should get our attention and lead us to a better understanding of the importance of women in the life and ministry of Jesus as a whole. 

This prayer highlights the relationship between Jesus and the women in his life – those who followed him during his earthly ministry, and those who follow him now:

 

Lord Jesus Christ, your presence was powerful in the lives of women.  You were born of a woman, whom you honored and loved, and who treasured you in her heart (Lk. 2:7, 51).  You revealed yourself to women as the Messiah, the Resurrection, and the Life (Jn. 4:26; 11:25-27).  You were friends with women (Jn. 11:5).  You were welcomed into their homes (Lk. 10:38).  Women travelled with you (Lk. 8:1-3), listened to your words (Lk. 10:39), wept for you (Lk. 23:38), witnessed your death (Mk. 15:41) and proclaimed your Resurrection (Jn. 20:18). 

Lord Jesus, with compassion and power, over and over you healed women of faith and their loved ones (Mk. 5:34; Mt. 15:28).  You expelled demons from the depths of their souls (Mk. 16:9), healed them spiritually by the forgiveness of their sins (Lk. 7:48), and restored them physically, freeing them from the bondage of illness and pain (Lk. 13:16). 

Like the women of the Gospels, we befriend you, we welcome you into our homes, we walk with you, listen to you, weep with you, follow you to the Cross, and witness your empty tomb.  We too have experienced your healing touch and the restoring power of your forgiveness.  Heal us again, Lord, and strengthen us to proclaim with Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord!” (Jn. 20:18).  Amen.

St. John Paul II: My Favorite Story

April 27, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday

Canonization of Popes John Paul II & John XXIII

Like many Catholics, I took the death of John Paul II very personally.  My memories of watching the funeral on tv are somewhat hazy – it seems I sat on the couch for days, the whole thing playing out in slow motion.  But I do remember a brief interview of a woman in the crowd of mourners.  This woman had travelled all the way from Mexico to attend the pope’s funeral in Italy.  Why, they asked her, why travel so far?  Her answer is my clearest memory from that sad time, probably because for me, it represented who John Paul II was. 

The woman said that when she was a little girl, John Paul II visited Mexico.  The streets of Mexico City were packed – everyone wanted to get a glimpse of the pope.  She said that as the popemobile drove past, somehow, in the midst of the gigantic crowd, their eyes met.  In that moment, as he looked at her, although they were surrounded by a crowd of thousands, it was as though no one else in the world existed – only the two of them.  In that moment of connection, she felt that he loved her.

The power of that moment was enough to motivate this woman to travel halfway across the world to mourn his death and honor his life.  John Paul II was many things; today he will be remembered in many ways.  I remember him for this moment.  A champion of human dignity, he could look at the whole world, and love each one.

The Resurrection Narratives in the Four Gospels

It’s Easter Season – the perfect time of year to read and meditate on the Resurrection Narratives in the four Gospels.  Sometimes the accounts run together in our minds, and it's hard to remember which story comes from which Gospel.  Which evangelist tells of Jesus asking Peter if he loved him?  Which one tells of the Risen Christ breaking bread with his disciples?  Which one tells of Mary Magdalene weeping at the tomb? 

Click below for a handy guide to the Resurrection Narratives in the four Gospels. It will help you quickly identify where each story can be found.  You can also compare the stories and identify some interesting similarities among the different accounts (e.g., the Risen Christ eating fish and showing his wounds in both Luke and John).

Note that Mary Magdalene is the first to see the Risen Christ in all accounts except the Gospel of Luke, where she is still among the women who are first to discover the empty tomb.  That's quite an honor for one who was once possessed by seven demons (Lk. 8:2)!

The Resurrection Narratives are easy to find in each Gospel – just check out the last chapter of each of the Synoptic Gospels (Mt. 28, Mk. 16, and Lk. 24) and the last two chapters of the Gospel of John (Jn. 20-21). 

Guide to the Resurrection Narratives in the Four Gospels (PDF)

A Hike on Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday, I took a hike with my children.  It was a mild day, and as we wound around a well-beaten trail, I was surprised by all the death and decay around us.  It has been so cold here in the northeast that signs of spring are still few and far between.  There were tiny buds on some of the trees, a few hardy plants had greened up, and several clumps of early-spring daffodils looked cheerful.  But for the most part, the woods remained dead and dormant, waiting for something to happen.

It was meaningful, considering the day, and the expectation we feel on that strange and holy day.  Signs of a long hard winter were everywhere, but I knew the dead leaves under our feet would break down and fertilize the soil, which would bring forth life.  Animals would take refuge in and under the trees that had fallen during storms.  Death was itself beautiful, because it anticipated and brought forth life.  An endless winter would lose its beauty – but a winter that leads to spring is tolerable and even lovely – like the body of our Lord in the rocky tomb. 

The woods and the tomb anticipate; they already begin to sing the believer’s triumphant song:  “Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O Death, is your victory?  Where, O Death, is your sting?” (1 Cor. 15:54-55)

I Have Power to Lay It Down

Good Friday

No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again (Jn. 10:18).

Today, when you look upon your Savior on the cross – don’t feel guilty.  It isn’t enough.  Feel elated, feel loved, feel treasured and valuable.  No one takes my life, he said, I lay it down.  I lay it down because I love you, and I want to show you who I am; I will show you who you are; I am showing you who we are together.

Jesus is a victim, but a willing one.  The greatest love is this, he said, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (Jn. 15:13).  Today, accept the friendship offered by the one on the Cross.  That is one thing that can make today very Good.