Caravaggio Mary Magdalene Grieving oil on canvas, between 1605 and1606
On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. John 20:1
She probably couldn’t sleep from grief. She got up at the first possible moment and went to care for the body of Jesus. And he was gone.
When did she let go of the fear that someone had snatched his body and begin to hope he had risen from the dead?
Lord, help me to choose hope over fear. Let me rejoice in the gifts of today.
Chapelle Dévôt-Christ at Perpignan Cathedral 14th century crucifix
Having bought a linen cloth, [Joseph of Aramathea] took [Jesus] down, wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mark 15:46
The story of Jesus’ Passion is deeply distressing with its matter-of-fact narration of the human experiences of rejection, betrayal, abandonment, injustice, cruelty, mockery, bullying, abuse, pain, and suffering.
And yet… and yet it ends with caring and tenderness as Joseph of Aramathea removes Jesus’ body from the cross, wraps it gently in fine linen, and lays it to rest.
It seems to me that compassion and kindness will always be the last words in our human story.
Lord, help me to reach out with your tender careto those who are suffering and in need.
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) Field of Wheat with Cypresses oil on canvas, 1889 Metropolitan Museum of Art
[Jesus answered them,] “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” John 12:24
God has planted the seed of unconditional love in my heart.
May I let the hard shell of resentment, indifference, selfishness, and prejudice that surrounds this precious seed of love die.
I want to do God’s will and produce the living fruit of God’s love in our fragile world.
God reveals himself in the person of Jesus from whom we learn God is compassion, healing, forgiveness, service to the poor and vulnerable, the shunned and abandoned.
May I also be a revelation of God’s love in the world.
Benvenuto Tisi (1481-1559) Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple between circa 1540 and circa 1550 National Galleries of Scotland
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:25
Today I am feeling small and fragile. I will ask God for the wisdom to lean on the Lord’s gentle strength and trust that everything I need today will be provided.
James Tissot (1836-1902) La transfiguration opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Mark 9:5-6
To look on the brilliance of the Lord… it is a terrifying thought and a compelling desire.
It is a call in and to me: I want to know the Lord.
Today I will seek the Lord in holy scripture, in the glory of creation, especially in the faces of the people I meet. I will listen for the voice of the Lord in the words of people in need, in the sounds of nature, in the silence of my heart.
James Tissot (1836-1902) Jésus tenté dans le désert gouache over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum
[Jesus] was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. Mark 1:13b
I have been in a desert with wild beasts that trigger old trauma, where despair and fear and bad dreams keep me thirsting for refreshing, relaxing sleep.
And angels in the form of faithful friends who listen and comfort, who pray for me when I cannot pray for myself, have ministered to me.
Thank you, Lord, for being with me in the desert times. Bless all the kind and compassionate people who help me day by day.