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THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

This unit is about what Jesus did in the New Testament starting with Easter.

EASTER MORNING 20:1-18 (THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS)

After the Sabbath day i.e. the first day of the week (Sunday morning) Mary Magdalene went to the tomb with an intension of anointing the bod. The tomb was empty. On informing Peter, Peter ran with the beloved disciple. The beloved disciple out ran Peter because he was younger hence energetic. The beloved disciple waited for Peter to go in perhaps because Peter was considered to be the leader. One by one they went in and believed what they saw. What they actually saw was that the tomb was empty.

The first person to see the empty tomb and the risen Lord was Mary Magdalene. There seems to be something remarkably discerning in that a woman was made the first to be recipient of both these convents of the church’s faith. This is consistent with the lowliness and humility of its Lord. All the gospels have the story of an angel appearing in the empty tomb. On first appearance, Mary didn’t recognize Jesus, later she does and calls him teacher. This shows that faith and understanding of Christ is a gradual process. Jesus called her by name implying that he is a good shepherd who knows his sheep by names.

Jesus tells her “do not hold me” this may either imply “don’t be afraid or Jesus wanted to show her that as risen Lord the relationship with him is no longer the physical one Mary was used to. Jesus was no longer confined to space and time.

THIS VIDEO EXPLAINS MORE

EASTER EVENING 20:19-23

This event is particular to John alone. It would be hard to try a reconstruction of harmony of what really took place. Each author has his own interests. It has been said that John is concerned with establishing the identity of the person of Jesus who was crucified with that of the one who is the ever present Lord of the church and to point out to the church what nature of belief in such a Lord may be.

When Jesus greets his disciples with “peace be with you”, it became a permanent part of Christian liturgical practice. After this he gives them a mission which is inseparable from his “receive the Holy Spirit”. This indicates that Jesus had already been glorified. He had already ascended to heaven and is back. In John the resurrection, Ascension and coming of the Holy Spirit are connected. This is the “little while” Jesus was talking about earlier. Jesus breathing the Spirit on them which fulfills the dry bones of Ezekiel 37, in verse 23, Jesus gave them power to forgive sins. This gives grounds for the sacrament of penance in the Catholic Church.

THE THOMAS EVENTS VERSE 24-29

Thomas’ story can be ours. We Christians never saw the earthly Christ neither did we see the risen Christ. Many might think that we missed something. The author is trying to say that we are even more blessed if we believe without seeing. The author is trying to say that this story is for everyone who was not present. It’s paradoxical in this section that seeing not necessarily believing. Some saw Jesus but failed to believe. In verse 30-31, this forms the conclusion to the messiah and in doing so have eternal life. Apparently the gospel is supposed to have ended here.

EPILOGUE CHAPTER 21:1-25

The gospel comes with the statement of its purpose 20:30. This may make one think that chapter 21 was added by someone else. But when we examine the style of writing we become more convinced that this was just a supplement by the same author. Nevertheless not all scholars in agreement ever this conclusion

JESUS APPEARS BY THE LAKE CHAPTER 21:1-4

The lake is that of Galilee, the disciples might have despaired and were returning back to fishing, Jesus approached them and instructed them to throw the net, and this symbolically implies the apostolic catch that they will soon get. They caught 153 different types of fish implying the different types of people who will form the church. A meal of fish and bread is symbolic of the Eucharist. Here Jesus intended to confirm the disciples in their apostolic mission.

JESUS, PETER, AND THE BELOVED DISCIPLE CHAPTER 15-25

Jesus asked Peter “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” this statement is connected to the three denials by Peter. The whole meaning of the question is do you love me more than these other disciples as you said you did? Peter on the ground of his love is installed as the shepherd. He should attend to feed and care for the sheep. Jesus was trying to retrieve Peter’s confidence. In a way Jesus was saying “it’s alright Peter go on to lead my sheep. Furthermore, Peter will not only be a pastor but also a martyr. Verse 18, he will become a martyr by becoming crucified. In verse 20 whatever will happen to the beloved disciple is on business of peter. Perhaps by this time Peter had been killed. Just as Peter will bear witness through his martyr Dom, the beloved disciple will do it through testifying the truth of the gospel by writing it.

 

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